Farooq Abdullah points to local role in Pahalgam attack

Former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has said that attacks like the one in Pahalgam cannot occur without local support.

Speaking to reporters, Abdullah expressed doubts that such a well-coordinated assault-like the April 22 attack that killed 25 tourists and one local-could have happened without some form of assistance from within Kashmir.

"I don't think these (incidents) can happen without someone supporting them. They came from there-but how did they manage it?" he asked.


Recalling his time as chief minister in 1999, Abdullah said he had opposed the release of Maulana Masood Azhar, who later founded the Jaish-e-Mohammed. "He had made inroads here. And how do we know he didn't have a hand in this attack?" he added.

Following the Pahalgam attack, over 2,000 people across the Valley have been detained, summoned or questioned. At least 75 have been booked under the Public Safety Act.

Responding to criticism over his comments on local involvement, Abdullah asked, "Who started all this in 1989? Who went across for training? Who drove out the Pandits?"

"I have never supported terrorists. I was never Pakistani, I am not now, and I will never be," he said.

Calling Jammu & Kashmir an integral part of India and "the crown of the nation," Abdullah said, "We have Amarnathji here-he will protect this land."

Abdullah vowed that the Pahalgam attack would not go unanswered. "They (Pakistan) will be shaken. Their cup has overflowed. We will not back down-it is essential to root this out completely. That will bring peace to the souls lost in Pahalgam."

He added that Pakistan has never won with such tactics and will not succeed in the future either. "These sacrifices will not go in vain. These killers of humanity call themselves Muslims-they are not. They are the children of Satan."

Abdullah also touched on the Indus Water Treaty, saying the people of J&K were never consulted. "We suffered the most. We couldn't use a single drop for hydroelectricity or even draw a bucket of water. I appeal to the Government of India to allow the people of Jammu to use that water."