National Conference (NC) President and Member of Parliament, Farooq Abdullah, emphasised on Thursday that militancy has not ceased in Jammu & Kashmir, and the path to peace lies in dialogue.
While speaking to the reporters after visiting the residence of deputy superintendent (DSP) Himayun Bhat, who lost his life in an anti-militancy operation in Kokernag, Anantnag, Abdullah said that wars does not resolve issues in the past nor will they bring peace in the future.
Bhat and two other security officers—Colonel Manpreet Singh and Major Ashish Dhonchak—were killed in the encounter with terrorists in Kokernag on Wednesday.
"Militancy persists in J&K, and we cannot attain peace without engaging in talks with Pakistan...India and Pakistan must engage in dialogue to end this persistent danger,” said Abdullah.
He said conflict causes destruction, as exemplified by the situation in Ukraine.
Abdullah also mourned the loss of three officers, stating, “This is a profound tragedy for the family and the nation.”
“A Colonel, a Major, and this young DSP have made the ultimate sacrifice,’’ he said. “This ongoing destruction seems unending, with recent encounters even in Rajouri,” he added.
Abdullah criticised BJP-led Centre for claiming that terrorism has ended in J&K. He termed government's assertion as “premature”. “Until a path to peace is established, true peace remains elusive,” said Abdullah.
He pointed out that even Ukraine and Russia are pursuing talks to resolve their conflict.
Meanwhile, when asked about BJP’s intention to retrieve Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Abdullah said let them try if they believe it’s feasible.
“Let them do it. Who is stopping them?...If they feel that it will end the problem, they should do it. Let me make it clear that no issue can be resolved by confrontation. Pakistan has fought four wars and the border remains unchanged,” he said.
While stressing on the dialogue between both the nations, Abdullah said that the neighbouring country has never accepted the status quo. “We are naive to assume it will conclude unless both countries set aside their egos,” he added.
When asked about the government's claim that Pakistan is not amenable to peace in Kashmir he said “How does it matter...They cite UN resolutions... What will you tell them? They are saying we do not accept this decision.”
Regarding reports that Pakistan was sending militants through Nepal and Punjab, Abdullah said he was neither in the intelligence nor in the government to throw light into it, but wondered if these militants were from another country.
“They are fully trained...I fear that these foreign terrorists might be from another country, they are so well trained,” he said. When inquired whether he meant Afghanistan, Abdullah refused to point fingers at anyone.