SRINAGAR, May 19 -- PDP president and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has strongly opposed the Jammu and Kashmir government's decision to deploy 4,000 ex-servicemen to guard key infrastructure, calling it a missed opportunity to address unemployment among the region's youth.

In a letter addressed to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Mufti said while the service of military veterans is respected, static guard duties do not require military expertise and could be effectively handled by trained local youth.

"Such employment could be a vital lifeline for educated but jobless youth in J&K," she wrote. "Prioritizing retired servicemen-many of whom already receive pensions-over unemployed young people risks deepening the sense of alienation.C...