'Kashmir Will Turn Into Gaza if...': Farooq Abdullah Comments on India, Pak Relations; BJP Reacts

National Conference (NC) leader Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday stirred a row by saying Kashmir will turn into Gaza if India and Pakistan do not find a solution through dialogue.

Speaking to reporters, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said if India remains with its neighbour (Pakistan), both countries will progress. He also referred to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s statement on India-Pakistan relations that “we can change our friends but not our neighbours”.

“Prime Minister Modi also said that war is not an option now and the matters should be resolved through dialogue. Where is the dialogue? Nawaz Sharif is about to become the Prime Minister (of Pakistan) and they are saying that we are ready to talk (to India), but what is the reason why we are not ready to talk?” Farooq Abdullah said.

“If we do not find a solution through dialogue, we will meet the same fate as Gaza and Palestine, which are being bombed by Israel,” he added.

The NC leader’s remarks come in the backdrop of at multiple terrorist activities reported in the Valley over the past few days. On December 21, at least four Army personnel lost their lives while three others were injured in a terrorist attack on two military vehicles in the Rajouri sector.

On December 24, a retired senior police officer Mohammed Shafi Mir, a resident of Gantamulla Bala village in Jammu and Kashmir’s Baramulla, was shot dead by terrorists while he was offering prayers inside a mosque.

BJP Reacts to Farooq Abdullah’s Statement

Senior BJP leader Dr Hina Shafi Bhat condemned the veteran leader’s remarks saying it is “regrettable” that a senior leader from Jammu and Kashmir is still talking about talks with Pakistan.

“Farooq saab should learn now, this regime is not going to bow down before Pakistan. We tried, they have backstabbed us again and again,” Dr Hina said.