Srinagar, November 12: National Conference President Dr Farooq Abdullah on Thursday asserted that terrorism would never succeed in Kashmir, saying those who believe they can capture the region through violence are mistaken.
Speaking to reporters, Abdullah said claims being repeatedly made in Delhi about the complete end of terrorism do not reflect the ground situation. He maintained that incidents of violence continue to occur and stressed the need for effective measures to eliminate the threat.
Referring to the recent Kishtwar attack targeting two Special Police Officers (SPOs), Abdullah said such incidents demonstrate that the security challenge persists. He added that it was difficult to predict where another attack might take place.
Commenting on claims of normalcy following the abrogation of Article 370, the NC president acknowledged that terrorism continues to exist but urged people not to live in fear.
"Kashmir was, is and will remain a part of India," he said, adding that those attempting to change this reality through violence would not succeed.
On relations with Pakistan, Abdullah recalled the violence and atrocities committed during the tribal invasion of Jammu and Kashmir, referring to the killings of women and men, as well as the attack on a Christian-run hospital in which a doctor, his wife and a nurse were killed.
He said Pakistan continued to raise the Kashmir issue but maintained that lasting solutions could not emerge through violence or confrontation.
Drawing parallels with international conflicts, including the tensions between Iran and the United States and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, Abdullah said wars bring destruction and negotiations ultimately remain the way forward.
"I always tell Pakistan to stop terrorism. Nothing will come out of this. Adopt the path of dialogue, through which a way out can be found. We were both parts of one country," he said.
Abdullah also called for the revival of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), arguing that regional countries should come together to resolve their differences and pursue collective development.
Referring to Europe's transformation after the devastation caused by World War II, he said countries that once fought each other had eventually moved towards greater cooperation and integration.
"Bullets and talks cannot go together," he remarked.
Meanwhile, responding to a question about Sonia Gandhi's book, Abdullah said he had not read it and would be unable to comment until he had gone through its contents.
