‘Terrorists Shouldn’t Be Killed’: Farooq Abdullah’s Statement Triggers Heated Political Reactions

The head of the National Conference, Farooq Abdullah, caused a political commotion on Saturday when he asked security forces to arrest terrorists instead of killing them. Abdullah claimed that questioning these terrorists might help identify the violence’s masterminds and originate the current increase in attacks in Jammu and Kashmir.

Farooq Abdullah told ANI, “It should be investigated. How is it that the government has come and this is happening? I have a doubt that it was done by the people who were trying to destabilize the government…If they (terrorists) are caught then we will get to know who is doing this. They should not be killed, they should be caught and asked who is behind them…We should check if there is an agency who is trying to destabilize Omar Abdullah.”

In addition, Farooq Abdullah called for an investigation into the Budgam terror assault, stating that he doubted that it was carried out by those trying to bring down the Jammu and Kashmir government.

NCP-SCP Chief Sharad Pawar responded to the National Conference president’s comments by asking the “Central government and Home ministry” to give careful thought to what the former J&K chief minister stated.

Pawar stated, “Farooq Abdullah is the tallest personality of Jammu and Kashmir.He spent his life serving the people of Jammu and Kashmir. I have no doubt about his integrity and honesty. If such a leader is making any statement then the central government, especially the Home Ministry should take it seriously and try to work out on how that situation can be resolved.”

Farooq’s proposal for an investigation was turned down by Jammu and Kashmir BJP president Ravinder Raina, who asked, “What is there to investigate?”

Rain told the ANI, “Farooq Abdullah knows that this terrorism is coming from Pakistan. This is a well-known fact. What is there to investigate in this? He knows that the terrorist attacks that are taking place in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan and terrorist organizations are involved in this. We all should support our army, police and security forces.”

BJP leader Kavinder Gupta who is also a former deputy CM criticized Farooq Abdullah’s comments by calling them “irresponsible.”

He stated, “A responsible person should not make such statements. Peace is maintained in Jammu and Kashmir due to the work of agencies. No one said that Omar Abdullah’s government is being destabilized. Many times, such attempts are made by external forces. It is because of the security forces that the policy of zero tolerance is being implemented. This is an absolutely wrong statement. He (Farooq Abdullah) should not make such irresponsible statements.”

Asaduddin Owaisi who is the head of AIMIM also responded to Farooq Abdullah’s statement that the government is in charge of maintaining law and order in Jammu and Kashmir.

Owaisi stated, “The LG has the responsibility of law and order, and if terrorist attacks are happening there, BJP should take the responsibility. I am saying that terrorists are coming from Pakistan. Why are you not stopping them? What is the Modi government doing? It is the government’s responsibility to stop them, to arrest them. This is the failure of the Narendra Modi government that they are not able to stop the terrorists.”

Two non locals were shot by terrorists on Friday in Mazhama, which is in the Budgam district’s Magam neighborhood. In order to catch the criminals, security forces surrounded the entire region after the incident.

Also Read | Two Terrorists Killed in Encounter with Security Forces in Anantnag, Jammu & Kashmir

Terrorists and security personnel clashed earlier today in the Khanyar neighborhood of Srinagar which is part of Jammu and Kashmir.

Kashmir Zone Police shared a post on X, “A cordon and search operation in Khanyar area of district Srinagar has resulted in an exchange of fire. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow.”

Farooq Abdullah was questioned if Pakistan should always be held accountable for terrorist strikes in J&K such as the most recent one in Budgam. He responded, “There is no question of this, I would say that there should be an investigation into this.”