National Conference leader and former Jammu and Kashmir [Images] chief minister Dr Farooq Abdullah has strongly defended the action of his younger brother and Member of Legislative Assembly Dr Mustaffa Kamal, who visited the families of two slain Hizbul Mujaheedin commanders last week.

Dr Kamal had visited the two families immediately after the encounter in his north Kashmir Pattan constituency last week. The two militants, both top commanders of the Hizbul Mujaheedin, were killed during a fierce gunfight with the army and the police.

This is the first time that a mainstream politician belonging to the NC and sitting MLA had visited the family of a slain militant in Kashmir.

"He visited the families of the slain militants on humanitarian grounds and to express his sympathy. The Bharatiya Janata Party would oppose this move, but we are least bothered about it," Dr Farooq said while addressing a rally in Ashmuqam village in southern Kashmir.

Dr Kamal, who was the health minister in his brother's cabinet, also defended his decision to visit the families. "As MLA of the area, it is my duty to express condolences to the families," he said.