Srinagar: National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah stressed the importance of dialogue between India and Pakistan to achieve lasting peace in Jammu and Kashmir, saying, "Such incidents will continue if there is no dialogue. We are fools if we think that it (violence) will stop. We will keep losing lives. There is no way but dialogue. Both countries should give up their stubbornness and hold talks."
Abdullah made these remarks while speaking to reporters after visiting the family of Humayun Bhat, the deputy superintendent of the Jammu and Kashmir Police, who lost his life during a military operation in Anantnag’s Kokernag.
Regarding the recent loss of lives, including that of Humayun Bhat, Abdullah expressed his concern, stating that wars have not resolved issues in the past and will not bring about peace in the future.
He commented, "Let them do it. Who is stopping them? I will not stop. If they feel that it will end the problem, they should do it. Let me make it clear that no issue can be resolved by confrontation. Pakistan has fought four wars, and the borders are still in place." He was referring to (borders) as the LOC (Line of Control) diving Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
Abdullah criticized the assertion by the BJP-led Centre that militancy had ended in Jammu and Kashmir, saying, "You tell me, has it ended?"
He pointed to the Ukraine conflict as an example of the need for dialogue, stating, "For establishing peace, Russia and Ukraine will have to hold talks."
Responding to questions about Pakistan's role in sponsoring militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah noted Pakistan's rejection of the status quo and their stance on UN resolutions.
While acknowledging that he lacked the authority to shed light on the origin of the militants, Abdullah suggested that recent incidents indicated they were highly trained and potentially from a country other than Pakistan.
“I am neither in the intelligence nor in the government, so I cannot say where they come from. But they are coming, and they are coming fully trained. I fear that these foreign terrorists might be from another country; they are so well trained,” he expressed.
When asked if he was insinuating the involvement of Afghans, Abdullah declined to point fingers at anyone and emphasised the imminent danger that needs to be confronted. “Those who need to understand will understand. There is a danger, an imminent danger. We have to face this every day. Our people are dying, our jawans are dying,” he concluded.