Farooq Abdullah’s ‘don’t kill terrorists’ comment ignites controversy; Sharad Pawar, J&K BJP respond
Farooq Abdullah, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, sparked a political uproar on Saturday. He suggested that authorities should capture terrorists instead of killing them. His comments aimed to highlight the need for interrogation to uncover the masterminds behind the recent surge in terror attacks across Jammu and Kashmir.
Abdullah emphasized that interrogating captured terrorists could yield crucial information about their broader networks. He also called for an investigation into the recent Budgam terror attack, questioning whether it was orchestrated by those aiming to destabilize the Jammu and Kashmir government.
“It should be investigated. How is it that attacks continue with the government in place? I suspect these attacks come from people seeking to destabilize the government,” Abdullah stated. He argued that capturing terrorists would reveal who is orchestrating these attacks, saying, “They should not be killed; they should be caught and asked who is behind them.”
When asked about placing blame on Pakistan for terrorist attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah urged for an investigation instead. He believes it’s essential to understand the underlying causes rather than assigning blame without evidence.
Sharad Pawar, chief of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), reacted to Abdullah’s statements. He praised Abdullah as a respected leader and urged the central government to take his comments seriously. “If a leader of his stature makes a statement, the central government should work towards resolving the situation,” Pawar said.
Conversely, Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina countered Abdullah’s comments, asserting that the origins of terrorism are well-known. “Farooq Abdullah knows terrorism comes from Pakistan. What is there to investigate? We must unite to support our army and security forces in this fight,” Raina stated.
In a recent terror incident, two laborers from Uttar Pradesh were shot in Budgam, further intensifying concerns about rising violence. Abdullah and other leaders condemned the attack, calling it cowardly, especially during a festive period.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and National Conference MP Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi questioned the spike in attacks following the recent elections. They condemned the violence and demanded action against those responsible. The series of attacks has raised alarms about the security situation in the region, prompting leaders from various parties to call for unity against terrorism.
