The controversy over Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s statement on Thursday on using ‘terrorists to neutralise terrorists’, suggesting the revival of the 1990s ‘Ikhwan era’, refuses to die down with even former Kashmiri counter-insurgents expressing dismay over the proposal.

“That was a different time in 1990 and this is a different time, and anyone has to be misguided to say openly that we will create state-sponsored gunmen again,” Usman Majeed, a former counter-insurgent who is now a Congress legislator from Bandipora, told The Hindu. “I was shocked when I heard Mr. Parrikar say that. It will be very difficult for India to find another Kuka Parray in Kashmir.”

Asked to elaborate on his comment after the sharp criticism, Mr Parrikar said he was suggesting “exploiting the differences between existing terror groups.” After the creation of the force, the “Ikhwanis” and renegades let loose a reign of terror not only on the militants and their families but also on civilians.