Situation won't normalise until India-Pakistan ties improve : Dr Farooq

Shopian, Aug 4: National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Monday said terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir would not end until relations between India and Pakistan improve. “Neither has militancy ended, nor will it end,” Abdullah told reporters in south Kashmir’s Shopian town.

The National Conference president said lasting peace in the region depends on improved ties between the two countries. “Those who believe militancy will end here , I challenge them. It won’t end until our relations with our neighbour improve,” Abdullah said.

When asked about the ongoing encounter in Kulgam’s Akhal area, Abdullah said that if gun battles were going on how would they claim militancy had ended.

Expressing solidarity with the family of former Jharkhand Chief Minister and co-founder of the Jharkhand Mukti MorchaShibu Soren, Abdullah said, “Today, Shibu Soren, who was a very dear friend of mine, has departed for his heavenly abode. In this moment of grief, we all stand with him and his loved ones”.

He said he offered his condolences to Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the bereaved family. “In this hour of grief, I stand with them,” Abdullah said.

He expressed hope that Hemant Soren would carry forward the developmental initiatives undertaken by his father for the progress of Jharkhand.