National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah has ignited a major controversy with his recent remarks saying collusion between Indian Army troops and terrorists. Abdullah’s comments came in the wake of a deadly gunfight between security forces and terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, which resulted in the deaths of two army personnel and a civilian.
Addressing the Party workers, Abdullah questioned the effectiveness of the massive troop deployment along the borders, stating, “There is massive troop deployment on our borders, arguably the largest in the world. Yet, despite this extensive presence, terrorists continue to infiltrate into Indian territory. Yeh sab miley hue hain … (There is collusion between troops and enemy) .. Hamari barbadi ke liye…”
The remarks have stirred significant debate and criticism, particularly as they follow a recent confrontation in the Ahlan area of Anantnag. On Saturday afternoon, a gunfight erupted between security forces and terrorists in the dense forests of Kokernag. The Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), through its front organization Kashmir Tigers, claimed responsibility for the attack.
According to a statement from the Army, the joint operation by the Army, Jammu and Kashmir Police, and CRPF began based on specific intelligence inputs about the terrorists’ presence. The operation, which had been ongoing since early Saturday morning, resulted in an intense firefight.
In addition to his controversial statements, Abdullah also discussed the political climate in Jammu and Kashmir, noting that the situation is better compared to 1996. He argued that elections should be held without further delay, contingent upon the restoration of statehood to the region. Regarding potential alliances, Abdullah stated that the NC would not enter into any pre-poll alliances, leaving the decision to other parties like Congress and PDP.
The controversy surrounding Abdullah’s comments continues to escalate as political leaders and security officials respond to the ongoing situation in Jammu and Kashmir.