"Pakistan government wanting peaceful atmosphere with us, let's open door to them": Farooq Abdullah

Srinagar, June 12: Jammu and Kashmir National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah has pitched for resuming talks with Pakistan, saying the new government in Pakistan "is willing to have a peaceful atmosphere with us" and India should "open the door to them".

In an interview with ANI, Farooq Abdullah, a former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, also pitched for "reviving" the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).

"We still have problems with our neighbour. These problems will not be solved by military action... Unless we talk to our neighbours, we cannot solve it. The terrorists are coming through borders, and they will continue coming. Whichever government will be there tomorrow, will have to face the same thing... We need to come out of these situations... We have a major Yatra coming (Amarnath Yatra). Any small incident that might take place in that will be blown up in the rest of the country. We Kashmiris are not responsible for these things," Abdullah said.

He was responding to a query on the terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

"The government in Pakistan, I think they are wanting to have a peaceful atmosphere with us. Let's open the door to them. And let us revive SAARC. SAARC was made for the good of this entire area," he said.

At least nine people were killed and 42 others were injured in the attack on a bus carrying pilgrims from Shiv Khori shrine that took place on June 9, in Reasi district. The bus plunged into a gorge following the attack.

Five jawans and a sub-divisional special police officer (SDPO) were injured in the encounter that began after terrorists opened fire at a joint checkpost of police and Rashtriya Rifles at an army base in the Chattargala area on the Bhadarwah-Pathankot road in Doda on June 11 night.

Abdullah said military action cannot solve problems and referred to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas.

Answering a query on assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, Abdullah said polls will take place. "The election took place for the Parliament also when the incidents took place. Elections cannot be prevented by this..."

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi on his beginning third term in office after the victory of BJP-led National Democratic Alliance government in the Lok Sabha polls.

"My warm felicitations to Modi Ji (@narendramodi) on assuming office for the third time. Your party's success in recent elections reflects the confidence of the people in your leadership. Let us replace hate with hope and seize the opportunity to shape the destiny of the two billion people of South Asia," Sharif had posted on X.

Responding to the message, PM Modi said that the people of India have always stood for peace, security and progressive ideas.

"Appreciate your message @NawazSharifMNS. The people of India have always stood for peace, security and progressive ideas. Advancing the well-being and security of our people shall always remain our priority," PM Modi had said

India has made it clear to Pakistan that talks and terror cannot go together. India has stated that it wants normal relations with all neighbouring countries including Pakistan and "for this environment free of terror and hostility is imperative".

Jaishankar, who took charge of his office for his second term as External Affairs Minister on Tuesday, had referred to Pakistan and said that India would want to find a solution "to the issue of years-old cross-border terrorism".

Shehbaz Sharif, brother of Nawaz Sharif, took oath as Prime Minister in March following the general elections in Pakistan.