New Delhi:

National Conference boss Farooq Abdullah has called out Pakistan as the source of terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and warned that country to “put an end” to its constant attacks. He urged Islamabad to “find a way to be friends… otherwise issues will arise”.

His comment follows a worrying series of terror attacks in the former state, including one late Thursday night in which an Army vehicle in Baramulla was targeted and four people – two soldiers and two civilians – were killed. Three days earlier six construction workers and a doctor were gunned down.

“These (terror attacks) will continue in the state till we find a suitable solution… we are all aware of the origin. For 30 years I have witnessed the killing of innocent people. Why are they (Pakistan) doing this and sabotaging their own future… when we will not be a part of Pakistan?”

“Many of our colleagues have been martyred… but it continues every year and you know the ones responsible for it. They mistakenly think this will help them unite Kashmir with Pakistan…”

Baramulla, J&K: JKNC President Farooq Abdullah reacts to the recent terror attack, says, “I have been witnessing this since 1984. This terrorism has not stopped. Many of our colleagues were martyred, but it still continues every year. This means it has not stopped, and you know… pic.twitter.com/isPorL3eCf

— IANS (@ians_india) October 25, 2024

“They ought to focus on problems facing their nation. I urge them to put an end to this and find a way to be friends… otherwise, issues will arise.” Mr Abdullah told a local news channel.

“I am sorry to the families of those who were hurt and those who died,” he said, echoing the statement last night by his son and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Very unfortunate news about the attack on the army vehicles in the Boota Pathri area of North Kashmir which has resulted in some casualties & injuries. This recent spate of attacks in Kashmir is a matter of serious concern. I condemn this attack is the strongest possible terms &…

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) October 24, 2024

Earlier today intelligence community sources told NDTV of a terrorist training camp in Pakistan’s Abbottabad – the home of former al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden – running next to a Pak Army base.

READ | ‘Terror Factory’ In Pak’s Abbottabad, Where Bin Laden Had Base

Farooq Abdullah’s comment also comes amid criticism from the BJP, which pounced on a statement by Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif that the NC and the Congress’ position on restoration of Article 370 – which was mentioned in their election manifestos – were the same. “Pakistan, a terrorist state, endorses Congress and NC’s position on Kashmir…” the BJP’s Amit Malviya said on X.

READ | “I Don’t Know What Pak Says. I Am An Indian Citizen”: Farooq Abdullah

Mr Abdullah’s party swept to victory in this month’s J&K Assembly election – the first in a decade for the former state, which was lost special status in 2019 and bifurcated into two union territories.

The NC had allied with the Congress, under the INDIA bloc banner, but eventually did not need the beleaguered national party’s support, winning 42 of 90 elected seats on its own and then being backed by four independents and the lone AAP MLA, taking it past the majority mark of 46.

Mr Abdullah’s son, Omar Abdullah, took oath as Chief Minister last week.

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Jammu:

National Conference (NC) chief Farooq Abdullah on Friday announced he will lead the party in the Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections, which will be held in three phases from September 18.

He told PTI that he will contest the elections while his son, Omar Abdullah, has opted to refrain from participating until Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood is restored.

Jammu and Kashmir was reorganised as Union Territory after the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019. Welcoming the Election Commission’s decision to advance the elections, Farooq Abdullah said, “I thank God for this decision. Earlier, there was speculation about the dates being set between the 20th and 25th, so I am pleased they have been moved up.” The elections will be held on September 18, September 25 and October 1. The results of the polls will be announced on October 4.

With the announcement of the polls, the NC chief expressed hope for the end of central rule in the Union Territory.

Emphasising that the NC was always ready for assembly polls, Farooq Abdullah said, “We were prepared for the parliamentary elections and had requested that the assembly elections be held concurrently, but that did not happen.” He expressed optimism about a high voter turnout in the assembly polls. “People will come out in large numbers to participate in the elections,” the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said.

Farooq Abdullah called for a level playing field for all political parties in the region as he alleged that the BJP — the ruling party at the Centre — held “disproportionate advantages”.

“The BJP is in power at the Centre and has access to all types of security compared to other parties. The Election Commission must ensure fairness,” he asserted.

When asked whether the NC would contest the elections independently, he said, “As of now, we have decided so. However, we will have thorough discussions within the party before taking a final decision.” He also urged citizens to prepare for the upcoming panchayat, town area and municipality elections, emphasising the importance of establishing a democratic framework.

On the contentious issue of statehood, Farooq Abdullah lamented the downgrading of Jammu and Kashmir to a Union Territory, saying, “I feel sorry and ashamed of it”.

He challenged the BJP’s leadership by asking how they would feel if their own states were similarly downgraded.

On security concerns, he said while issues have persisted since the 1990s, he believes the current situation has improved compared to the past. “Today, the situation is not as severe. It is better now,” the NC chief said.

In response to the BJP’s claims about forming government in Jammu and Kashmir, he quipped, “May God listen to them. They claimed over 400 seats in the parliamentary elections, but what did they achieve? If the Election Commission had not been there, they would not have secured over 140 seats.” As the NC up for the assembly elections, Farooq Abdullah’s leadership will be pivotal in shaping the party’s strategy and response to the ongoing political landscape in Jammu and Kashmir.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)