JAMMU: Former Chief Minister, Member of Parliament, and National Conference President, Farooq Abdullah, has emphasised the need for a dialogue between India and Pakistan, expressing hope for diplomatic engagement after the upcoming elections. Abdullah’s statement comes in the wake of recent incidents, including the tragic killing of three civilians by the Army in Surankote.
During a media interaction at Rajouri Hospital on Friday, Abdullah addressed concerns over the civilian casualties, stating, “I hope justice will be delivered to the families of the victims, as assured by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh during his recent visit to Rajouri.” He highlighted the Defence Minister’s commitment to a thorough investigation and emphasised the importance of holding accountable those responsible for the tragic events.
Abdullah condemned the violence, expressing sympathy for the innocent victims and questioning the circumstances that led to the unfortunate incident. He stressed the need for effective measures to prevent such human rights violations in the future, urging the government and law enforcement agencies to take concrete actions.
Referring to the security situation, Abdullah called for a compassionate approach towards the people, emphasising the importance of community support in countering terrorism. He voiced concern over the infiltration of well-trained terrorists and emphasised the need to address the root causes of such incidents.
Abdullah also quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who previously stated that dialogue is crucial, emphasising that war is not a solution. He expressed concerns about the nuclear capabilities of both India and Pakistan, stating that the people of Jammu and Kashmir would be major targets in the event of conflict.
In addition to addressing security issues, Abdullah criticised the current BJP regime in Delhi, accusing it of discrimination against various communities. “Both India and Pakistan have nuclear capabilities and we (people of J&K) will be the major targets. War is no solution and New Delhi must realise this fact.”
During his visit to the government hospital in Rajouri, Abdullah inquired about the health of civilians injured in the aftermath of the Bafliaz Army camp incident. He urged the district administration to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured and reiterated his party’s demand for an impartial and time-bound judicial probe into the incident. Abdullah affirmed his commitment to raising the issue in Parliament, aiming to draw the government’s attention to the pressing concerns surrounding the incident.