Addressing party workers, JKPC state secretary (Organisation) Sheikh Mohammad Imran said the party would not remain silent over what he described as an affront to the dignity and identity of the people of Kashmir.

Demanding an unconditional apology from Mehbooba Mufti, he warned that the party would intensify its agitation if she failed to withdraw the alleged remarks.

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"Mehbooba Ji, apologise to the people of Kashmir. If you do not apologise, today we are protesting inside the party office, tomorrow we will be on the streets," Imran said.

Launching a sharp attack on the PDP leadership, Imran accused Mehbooba Mufti of attempting to project herself as a defender of Kashmiris despite, according to him, having presided over some of the Valley's most controversial decisions.

"Today in Delhi, Mehbooba Mufti is calling Kashmiris militants. During her tenure, bloodshed took place, pellet guns were used and thousands of our youth suffered. Those who suffered cannot now be branded as militants," he said.

Referring to the 2016 unrest in Kashmir, Imran alleged that the PDP-led government oversaw the extensive use of pellet guns, claiming that over 13 lakh pellets were fired, while Mehbooba Mufti had acknowledged in the Assembly that around 7,000 pellet cartridges were used.

He further alleged that thousands of people were detained under the Public Safety Act, saying it was ironic that the same leadership now seeking the release of political detainees had, during its tenure, filled the jails with them.