Farooq Abdullah Claims 'Militancy' Won't End In J&K Until India, Pakistan Mend Ties; BJP Reacts
Farooq Abdullah says militancy in J&K won't end until India-Pakistan relations improve. He questions the Centre's claims of peace. BJP blames Pakistan for terrorism.
National Conference Leader Farooq Abdullah on Monday claimed that militancy in Jammu and Kashmir would not end until the relations between India and Pakistan improve.
While speaking to reporters, the NC veteran openly challenged those who believe that militancy and terrorism have ended in the valley.
'Militancy will not end. Those who believe that militancy will end, I challenge them at this moment. Militancy will not end until our relations with our neighbours improve," he said as quoted by news agency IANS.
Shopian, J&K: National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah says, 'Militancy will not end. Those who believe that militancy will end, I challenge them at this moment. Militancy will not end until our relations with our neighbours improve" pic.twitter.com/TNrsQOdGiV — IANS (@ians_india) August 4, 2025
He further spoke about the Centre's efforts to ensure peace in the valley, saying that there is a need to find a way out of the conflict.
'I don't see the peace coming. I think we are living in a fool's paradise to think that peace will come overnight. We have a strong neighbour, whether it is China or Pakistan. Somehow, we have to find a way out. War is not a way out. Finally, you have to use a pen and discuss things. How does it hurt us?" he said as quoted by news agency ANI.
He also questioned the central government over its claims that terrorist camps have been uprooted in the region, asking how the Kulgam encounter was happening if that was the case.
'I have never said that militancy is over. Those people who were saying that Article 370 is responsible for militancy, they were in-charge here for so many years. Before the Pahalgam terror attack occurred, the central government had announced that it had uprooted terrorist camps. Even in the present war they had with the neighbour, they said that they had knocked the terrorists out, so how is Kulgam encounter happening?" Abdullah added.
He further lambasted the Centre, asking about the timeline to reinstate the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir.
BJP Reacts
The BJP reacted to the former Chief Minister's remarks, saying that this is the same person who once claimed that Article 370 can never be removed and it would be reimposed with the help of China.
BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla took a dig at Abdullah, saying why do the leaders of the INDIA bloc become apologists for terrorists.
He said that the cause of terrorism is Pakistan. "
The cause of terrorism is Pakistan and the ideology on which it is based. Islamabad considers everyone in the world, and especially India, as its enemy. This thought is the root of terrorism," he added.
India-Pakistan Ties
The diplomatic ties between India and Pakistan were downgraded after Lashkar-linked terrorists opened fire on a group of tourists in Pahalgam on Tuesday, April 22, killing at least 26 people, including foreign tourists, and injuring many others. The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar offshoot, claimed responsibility for the attack.
India responded with Operation Sindoor on May 7, bombing nine terrorist camps across Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in pre-dawn strikes that killed at least 100 militants. The operation sparked four days of cross-border fighting involving fighter jets, missiles and artillery.
(With inputs from agencies)
About the Author
Shobhit Gupta
Shobhit Gupta is a sub-editor at News18.com and covers India and International news. He is interested in day to day political affairs in India and geopolitics. He earned his BA Journalism (Hons) degree from Ben...Read More
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