In the wake of escalating violence in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah voiced a staunch appeal for peaceful dialogue between India and Pakistan. He underscored that a negotiated settlement remains the sole avenue towards achieving lasting peace and averting further loss of life.
The former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir articulated this imperative viewpoint during a press interaction on Thursday, following his visit to the bereaved family of deputy superintendent Humayun Bhat, who recently fell victim to a terrorist confrontation in Anantnag.
Drawing from the historical inefficacy of wars, Abdullah argued that resorting to armed conflict has not yielded resolutions in the past and harboured scepticism about its potential to foster peace in the future. “Both countries should give up their stubbornness and hold talks,” insisted Abdullah, dismissing the argument that violence can somehow terminate the ongoing hostilities.
Abdullah also criticised the BJP-led central government’s narrative that terrorism has been eradicated in the region, a claim contradicted by the recent deaths of security officers, including Bhat, in encounters with terrorists. While articulating the gravity of the loss for the families and the country, he pointed out the prevailing crisis marked by the frequent loss of lives of young officers.
In the broader canvas of global conflicts, he referenced the Ukraine conflict to emphasise the urgency of dialogue. “For establishing peace, Russia and Ukraine will have to hold talks,” noted Abdullah, urging the pivotal role of negotiation in conflict resolution.
He further expressed concern over the suspected involvement of highly trained foreign terrorists in the recent violent occurrences in the region, emphasising a necessity for vigilance against “an imminent danger.”
