Srinagar, March 30: Former Jammu & Kashmir chief minister and National Conference president Farooq Abdullah stoked a controversy on Saturday, by casting doubts over the martyrdom of 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans in Pulwama last month. The senior NC leader alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attempting to reap electoral benefits using the armed forces.

Abdullah asked why the PM does not pay homage to the CRPF personnel killed in Chhattisgarh, while combating the Naxal insurgents. Farooq Abdullah Files Nomination From Srinagar Parliamentary Seat.

"How many Indian soldiers have been martyred in Chhattisgarh? Did PM Modi ever visited to pay floral tributes to them. But those 40 CRPF personnel were martyred (in Pulwama)...I have doubts over it," he said,

Watch Video of Farooq Abdullah's Contentious Remarks on Pulwama Attack:

Citing a report which claims that the 6 Indian airmen, killed on February 27 in a chopper crash, were "accidentally downed" by India's own missile, Abdullah said "our six jawans were martyred" due to the misadventure.

The former CM went on to describe the "Mission Shakti" launch as an event which allowed the Prime Minister to reach out to the electorate. Accusing PM Modi of unduly claiming credit for it, the NC patriarch said the anti-satellite missile system was being developed since the Manmohan Singh-led UPA era.

Watch Abdullah's Controversial Take on Anti-Satellite Programme:

Abdullah's NC is considered to be the favourite among pollsters to win the three parliamentary seats in Kashmir Valley in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections 2019. The party has tied up with the Congress -- the latter would be contesting from the three constituencies of Jammu as per the pre-poll pact.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 30, 2019 03:47 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).