Hurriyat appeals to India, Pakistan for de-escalation of situation at borders

SRINAGAR: Moderate Hurriyat Conference chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq today expressed concern over the spurt in cross-border shelling in Jammu and Kashmir and appealed to India and Pakistan to work for de-escalation of the situation in the state.

"We appeal to the leadership of both the nations to show maturity and wisdom and de-escalate the situation at the borders in Jammu and Kashmir," Mirwaiz said in a statement here.

Terming escalation in the hostilities between India and Pakistan on borders as "worrisome and dangerous" to the peace of the region, Mirwaiz expressed concern over the loss of lives at working border in Sialkot (Pakistan) and Suchetgarh in Jammu.

"It is the people living across the borders who have to suffer and bear the brunt of hostilities between the two countries," he said and advocated resolution of Kashmir issue for everlasting peace in the region.

He said "the attitude of India in connection with the recently called off NSA level talks has increased the hostilities between the two countries at the borders."

"The intransigent, imprudent and unrealistic approach adopted by Indian leadership has allowed the situation to reach to this dangerous level," he claimed.

Mirwaiz said the reluctance demonstrated by New Delhi to talk on Kashmir reflects its "intransigence towards solving the Kashmir dispute."

"India should realise that issues cannot be addressed by military means and instead such approach could lead to more violence and instability," he said.

He said both the nations have no option but to solve their disputes through dialogue.

"Both the nuclear nations have to take the Kashmiri leadership along and find a resolution which satisfies their political aspirations," Mirwaiz said.