Why is Mehbooba Mufti suddenly apologetic about Burhan Wani's killing?

Breaking her silence over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani on July 8, J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has dropped a bombshell.

Mehbooba, who is also the home minister, claimed that she was unaware of his killing.

Facing continued public unrest, Mehbooba said she would have given the poster boy of new-age militancy "a chance" had she known he was "trapped in the encounter".

"Security agencies say they suspected three militants were hiding without knowing who they were. Had I known about him [Burhan], I would have given him a second chance in the wake of ongoing economic activity, improving situation and booming tourism," Mehbooba said on the sidelines of Peoples Democratic Party’s 17th foundation day, on July 28.

Also read: The Kashmir India doesn't want to know

But then, why would Mehbooba give a second chance to one of the most wanted militants, carrying a bounty of Rs 1 million on his head? After all, the bounty was raised by Mehbooba's government only.

Does this mean, other "low-cadre" militants are killed indiscriminately, and not given a chance to surrender only because their death won’t put the peace and economic prosperity of the state at stake?

If what Mehbooba said is true, it means the government contemptuously resorts to "pick and choose" in the killing of militants – something which deserves a high-level probe.

In an interview with NDTV, senior PDP leader and member of Parliament, Muzaffar Hussain Baigh had said: "The operation that took Burhan Wani was in contravention with the guidelines laid down by the Supreme Court suggesting the killing was extra-judicial."

It’s high time for the chief minister to endorse the previous statement made by Jammu and Kashmir Police that she, being the home minister, was duly in know of the encounter.

Also read: Burhan Wani's Kashmir is no land for patriots

The Indian Express has already reported the she was aware of the developments.

In the news story titled "Decoding Burhan Wani’s death", published on July 25, the newspaper, quoting highly placed sources said: "She [Mehbooba] was informed, in writing, of the June 8 raid as well as an operation targetting Burhan Wani in March."

Why is Mehbooba suddenly apologetic about Burhan, whose killing has pushed Kashmir on the edge? Why this posthumous sympathy for one specific militant?

Her reply to media queries raises more questions than answers.