National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday issued a stern message to Pakistan following a series of terror incidents in Kulgam and Kishtwar, asserting that those who believe attacks can help them capture Kashmir are living in a world of fantasy.
Taking a dig at the Centre, Abdullah also questioned claims that terrorism had been eradicated from the region, saying those in Delhi must acknowledge that the threat persists and take concrete steps to eliminate it.
Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said terrorism would never succeed in Kashmir and that those dreaming of taking control of the region through violence were only deceiving themselves.
“If they think they can capture Kashmir by carrying out such attacks, they should shed this misconception. Let them do whatever they please,” he said, reiterating that Kashmir was, is, and will always remain an integral part of India.
His remarks came after two terror-related incidents were reported within approximately 24 hours. In the remote Dachhan area of Kishtwar, two Special Police Officers (SPOs), Bobby Chand (57) and Rashpal Kumar (45), were killed and their weapons seized. In another incident, motorcycle-borne assailants opened fire on a CRPF post in the Naupora Akhran area of Kulgam, leaving three personnel injured.
Referring to the incidents, Abdullah said the threat of terrorism had not subsided and warned that such attacks could occur again.
“Such incidents are still occurring, and no one knows where the next attack might take place,” he said.
Questioning the narrative of normalcy often presented by the Centre following the abrogation of Article 370, the veteran leader said claims that terrorism had ended did not reflect the ground reality.
Those in Delhi who repeatedly claim that terrorism has been eradicated must acknowledge that it continues and work towards finding ways to put an end to it, he said. However, he also urged people not to live in fear, adding that there was no need to panic despite the continuing threat.
Referring to Pakistan’s role in the region, Abdullah recalled the brutality of the 1947 tribal invasion, including the killings and assaults on women and the murder of a doctor, his wife and a nurse at a hospital run by the Christian community.
He said Pakistan’s repeated references to Kashmir would not help resolve the issue and stressed that dialogue was the only way forward. Citing tensions between Iran and the United States, as well as the ongoing war in Ukraine, he said conflicts only brought destruction.
“I have always said: stop the fighting. Nothing will be gained from it. Choose the path of dialogue so that a solution can be reached. We were once part of the same country,” Abdullah said.
He also called for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), saying countries in the region should come together, resolve their differences and work towards collective progress.
Abdullah maintained that violence and dialogue could not go hand in hand, stressing that bullets could not provide a solution to the region’s problems.
His remarks rejected the idea that terrorism could change Kashmir’s political status while also underlining that security challenges remain and require sustained action rather than claims that the threat has been eliminated.
