Farooq Abdullah Calls on Pakistan to Curb Violence and Foster Friendship with India

Srinagar, Oct 25: National Conference President Farooq Abdullah stated on Friday that violent attacks, such as the recent ambush in Gulmarg, will persist until India and Pakistan establish a friendly relationship, which he believes is essential for resolving Jammu and Kashmir’s ongoing troubles. The attack on Thursday resulted in the deaths of two soldiers and two Army porters, with another soldier and a porter suffering injuries.

“Such attacks will continue in this state. You know where they originate, and they will not cease until a solution is found,” Abdullah told reporters, reflecting on the violence he has witnessed over the past 30 years. “Innocent people are being killed.”

He emphasized that Jammu and Kashmir has no intention of becoming a part of Pakistan, questioning the rationale behind such acts of violence. “Why are they doing this? To disrupt our future? To make us poorer?” Abdullah asked.

The former chief minister urged Pakistan to focus on its own issues rather than exacerbating the situation in Jammu and Kashmir. “They are suffering themselves but are dragging us down with them,” he lamented. Abdullah called on Pakistan to halt the violence and work towards building a friendship with India, warning that failure to do so would lead to a challenging future for all involved.

He also paid tribute to the soldiers and porters who lost their lives in the recent attack, expressing condolences to their families. “I pay my tribute to those who have been martyred. I apologize to their families,” he said.

When asked about Pakistan’s possible frustration over the recent assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah stated he was unaware of the situation. He highlighted that the electorate participated in the polls and expressed hope that the central government would restore full statehood to enable the assembly to function effectively for the people.

Regarding Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s recent meetings with the Prime Minister and Union ministers in Delhi, the senior Abdullah emphasized the importance of coordination with the Centre for the smooth operation of the Jammu and Kashmir government. “During my tenure as chief minister, I always advocated for coordination, as most resources are controlled by the Centre,” he noted.