Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and PDP President Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday responded to JKNC chief Farooq Abdullah’s call for a response stronger than the Balakot strike against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, pointing out inconsistencies in Abdullah’s past policy positions on Pakistan.
“Farooq Abdullah used to say we should drop a bomb on the other side of Kashmir, and sometimes he says we should hold talks. So, I don’t want to go into that,” Mufti said in an interview with media.
Farooq Abdullah’s Shift in Tone
On Monday, Farooq Abdullah issued a strong condemnation of Pakistan, urging India to take action that would prevent future attacks.
“Not Balakot—today the nation wants such action to be taken that these attacks never happen again,” he stated, while acknowledging his earlier support for dialogue with Pakistan.
Abdullah also emphasized India’s unity, rejecting the two-nation theory and declaring:
“We discarded the two-nation theory in 1947. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian—we are all one. We will give a befitting reply.”
Mufti Calls for Focus on Victims
While not dismissing the threat posed by cross-border terrorism, Mehbooba Mufti stressed the need to “heal the fresh wounds of the people” affected by the April 22 attack.
The Pahalgam terror attack, one of the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike, left 26 people dead, including one Nepali citizen.
India’s Diplomatic and Strategic Response
In response, India has launched multiple counter-terror operations across Jammu and Kashmir and taken major diplomatic steps, including:
- Suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, a landmark 1960 agreement brokered by the World Bank that governs water sharing between India and Pakistan.
- Escalated pressure on Pakistan over its continued support for cross-border terrorism.
Ongoing Counter-Terror Operations
According to ANI sources, intense anti-terror operations are underway across Jammu and Kashmir. Due to the sensitive nature of the activities, officials are withholding specific operational details for now.