In a stern warning to Pakistan, National Conference president Farooq Abdullah has asked the neighboring country to stop fostering terrorism on its soil, saying there would be “very severe” results if it does not do that.
The former Chief Minister of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir was reacting to a terrorist attack in Gagangir that left seven people, including a doctor, dead and many others injured.
Condemning the terror attack, the senior Abdullah said Pakistan would have to stop these activities if it wanted good relations with India.
He also vowed that Kashmir will never become Pakistan.
“I want to tell the leadership in Pakistan that if they want good relations with India, they need to put an end to this. Kashmir Pakistan nahi banega (Kashmir will never become Pakistan). Let us live with dignity and succeed,” he was quoted as saying in the reports.
“If they couldn’t create a Pakistan for 75 years, how would it be possible now?… It is time to end terrorism, otherwise the results will be very severe… How will talks be held if they kill our innocent people?” he asked.
On Sunday, a doctor and six laborers were killed as terrorists attacked a tunnel construction site on the Srinagar-Leh national highway in the Ganderbal district.
“This attack was very unfortunate… Immigrant poor laborers and a doctor lost their lives. What will the terrorists get from this? Do they think they will be able to create a Pakistan here… We are trying to put this to an end so we can move on from the misery,” he added.
A team of National Investigation Agency (NIA), has reached Kashmir to probe the terror attack.
Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah termed the Sunday terror attack as a “despicable act of cowardice.”
“Those involved in this heinous act will not be spared and will face the harshest response from our security forces. At this moment of immense grief, I extend my sincerest condolences to the families of the deceased. Praying for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he said.
Newly sworn-in Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, Omar Abdullah also criticized the attack calling it “dastardly and cowardly”.
“Very sad news of a dastardly and cowardly attack on non-local laborers at Gagangir in Sonamarg region. These people were working on a key infrastructure project in the area. 2 have been killed and 2-3 more have been injured in this militant attack. I strongly condemn this attack on unarmed innocent people and send my condolences to their loved ones,” Omar wrote on X on Sunday.