National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah, who has time and again said that talks are the only way forward for India and Pakistan to improve relations, has slammed the neighboring country for sponsoring terrorism amid Kathua terror attack, saying that their actions will increase anger in India which may lead New Delhi to resort to aggression and retaliation.
Five army personnel, including a Junior Commissioned Officer, were killed and as many were injured on Monday when heavily armed terrorists ambushed a patrolling party in the remote Machedi area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, making it the fifth such attack in Jammu region in a month.
Talking about the repeated attempts being made by the neighboring country to sneak in terrorist into India, Abdullah said if Pakistan thinks that infiltrating terrorists into our territory will bring change, they are wrong and this will only lead them to destruction.
He said the only way to restrict them now is to ask the world to put pressure on them.
“… The only way forward now is that the pressure of the world on that country must increase. This is not the path to peace. This is the path to destruction… Terrorism will not help anyone. If our neighbour thinks that infiltrating terrorists into our territory will bring change, they are wrong. They will fail…,” said the NC chief.
He said he is afraid that India might resort to aggression and retaliation if they don’t stop and increase our anger.
“They have already destroyed their country, and now a war will only further destroy it. They need to stop terrorism. They are being condemned all over the world for their actions… What are they gaining from this?” he asked.
He said if Pakistan has decided to move on this path of terrorism then they should be ready to face the consequences.
“The families of these soldiers (personnel killed in terror attacks) would be mourning and demanding retaliation. If they want to move on this path then they must be ready for the consequences also… Terrorism and dialogue cannot go hand in hand. If they want good ties, they will have to walk on that path, and terrorism does not lie on that path…,” added Abdullah.
Meanwhile, the Kathua terror attack evoked widespread condemnation with political leaders including three former chief ministers expressing concern over the growing number of terror incidents in J&K, especially in the Jammu region where militancy has returned after being wiped out over two decades ago.
The terrorists targeted an army truck, part of a routine patrolling party, with a grenade and gunfire on the Machedi-Kindli-Malhar road near Badnota village in Lohai Malhar, approximately 150 km from Kathua town, at around 3:30 pm.
After the ambush, the terrorists fled into the nearby forest, as the army, assisted by police and paramilitary personnel, retaliated.
The army vehicle, carrying ten occupants, bore the brunt of the attack, resulting in fatal injuries to five soldiers, including a JCO. Five others have been shifted to Pathankot military hospital for treatment.
An exchange of fire between the terrorists and security forces ensued, with reinforcements quickly dispatched to the area to neutralise the attackers – believed to be three in number and heavily armed – who may have recently infiltrated from across the border.
Kashmir Tigers, a shadow outfit of the banned Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), has claimed responsibility for the attack.
It is the second major terror incident in Kathua district within one month, following a similar confrontation on June 12 and 13 that left two terrorists and a CRPF jawan dead.
A massive search operation is on despite heavy rains.
Director General of Police R R Swain is personally overseeing the anti-terrorist operation in the dense forest area, connected to Basantgarh in Udhampur district, where several encounters have occurred in the past.
The forest area is connected to Basantgarh in Udhampur district. A village defence guard Mohd Sharief was killed in an encounter with terrorists on April 28 in Panara village of Basantgarh.
The officials said there were apprehensions that this route was used by terrorists to reach the hinterland after they managed to sneak in from across the border.
The Jammu region, known for its peaceful atmosphere, has been shaken in recent months by a series of ambushes and attacks by terrorists, particularly in the border districts of Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, and Reasi.
The recent escalation in terrorist activities has been attributed to attempts by Pakistani handlers to reignite terrorism.
With inputs from agencies
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