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NEW DELHI: A day after he was criticised for saying that Azad Kashmir would remain with Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir with India, National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah said his remarks were not new.
He actually went a step further and declared that Indian forces could not “defend against terrorists and militants”.
He had said on Friday that “Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)” would remain with Pakistan and that war was not an option.
On Saturday, he apparently attempted to clarify his statement but ended up repeating what he had said earlier. “PoK will be a part of Pakistan, J&K will be a part of India. It is not something new that I have said,” the former J&K chief minister said.
“All of India’s forces can’t defend against terrorists and militants,” he was further quoted as saying by ANI news agency.
Abdullah was assailed for his remarks, even as his son and former J&K chief minister Omar defended him by saying that this was the long-standing belief of his father.
Farooq Abdullah suggested that interaction between people on the two sides of the divide should be enhanced, instead of focusing on territorial disputes.
“People-to-people contact is essential. That is how fear is fought,” he said.
The disputed Himalayan region is one of the world’s most heavily militarised zones. Clashes and ceasefire violations along the Line of Control also pose a constant risk of escalation of tensions between the two countries.
By arrangement with the Times of India
Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2015
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (91) Closed
Nov 29, 2015 08:05am
Farooq Abdullah suggestion is very sensible,and could be smoothly implemented by both Pakistan & India.In fact an identical solution was about to be agreed during Pervez Musharraf tenure,but the wise man of Gotham Mr L K Advance created the mess. All those in favour of prolonging this issue must know that both the countries are facing burden on their budgets due to heavy expenditure on budget,and war is no solution to this,so it's better to listen veteran leader Dr Farooq Abdullah and solve this once for all.
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Nov 29, 2015 08:17am
Frustration is writ on his face.
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Nov 29, 2015 08:45am
If the world wants to fight militancy, it needs to go after the state actors that sponsor such militants.
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Nov 29, 2015 09:05am
Pakistan was able to reduce, if not eradicate, militancy in the last two years so it can be tackled if governments unite their efforts.
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Nov 29, 2015 09:14am
Very true. Terrorists i.e. non state actors can hardly be controlled by any security in the world as they do not have any faces. They look alike the victim ethnics.
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Nov 29, 2015 09:15am
in opposition, truth comes out
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Nov 29, 2015 09:22am
Leaders are talking abut peoples to contract between Azad Kashmir and Kashmir under India control for promoting peace in Kashmir but no body in talking of this formula for promoting peace and normalizing of relations between India Pakistan.
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Nov 29, 2015 09:29am
Only Pak army can tackle these terrorist. That's why world has acknowledge Pak army achievements.
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Nov 29, 2015 09:33am
Good example is IS. Air force from 7 countries are continuously bombing them and many other countries are directly/indirectly involved to counter IS but, not successful yet.
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Nov 29, 2015 09:33am
If all Indian troops can't tackle militants then how are you living safely in India from so many years Mr Farooq
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Nov 29, 2015 09:35am
Nothing can break the spirit of humans if it is based on a just cause. Not only has India not learned from the defeats of powers like the USSR in Afghanistan or the US in Vietnam and Iraq, it has also not learned anything from its own defeats at the hands of the freedom fighters in the past several decades. It has already killed over 80,000 people in Kashmir and only God knows how many more will it kill in vain to try to keep its occupation of that region.
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Nov 29, 2015 09:55am
Is the world able to tackle terrorism, which is happening now and then. All the five major powers US, UK, China, Russia, France, still today tackling terror.
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Nov 29, 2015 10:23am
To all my Indian friend, case of U.S. and USSR is different, bcz they were/ are fighting in alien territories, but India is fighting in its own country, and that is too over 60 years. The early they accept the truth the better it is that it is non-winnable war.
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Nov 29, 2015 10:34am
This is the first honest observation you made.
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Nov 29, 2015 10:38am
dont know why these politician gave such unresponsible statement för the sake Of Line light . Terrorism is a globel problem and should be condmned whether its paris mumbai peshawer or other parts Of the world . You cannot stand policeman on every person . Only Togather we can counter this problem
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Nov 29, 2015 10:51am
@Abdulla Hussain From India you will get honest observation, that is the freedom of expression everybody enjoys.
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Nov 29, 2015 10:56am
This is because you are not attacking ideology behind these terrorists.
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Nov 29, 2015 11:13am
@Fazal Karim :- Wait sir, we in sub continent are in Hurry , Europe learnt peace after fighting few world war, we will also learn , may be through hard way.
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Nov 29, 2015 12:49pm
@truth Sir, You said it.
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Nov 29, 2015 01:25pm
@Aa2544 : very good reply!
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Nov 29, 2015 02:23pm
Honestly now it's becoming a trend or a sickness, don't know what in India, to blabber and look for a trending hashtag or a debate on the news channels! He may be right in his capacity, but looks more of a frustration than constructive narration!
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Nov 29, 2015 02:35pm
@Jai which in this case is Insian state terrorism on the occupation of a foreign nation of kashmir. The world should implement the UN plebiscite resolution.
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Nov 29, 2015 02:39pm
@Aa2544 that is where India is wrong, kashmiris see India as a foreign nation occupying their nation, invaders always claim invaded territory to be part of their country, just like British did with India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. It is the people of the occupied nation who decide which country they will be part of. Understand that. Dictators dictate, democrats demonstrate , by impartial UN supervised Vote.
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Nov 29, 2015 02:58pm
He is an ex puppet Indian government official hence his views which hold no value for people of Pakistan neither the kashmiries who consider themselves as Pakistani.
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Nov 29, 2015 03:00pm
@BK you mean like the one ' Amir khan' got and the ' rape documentary by British producer'. Introspect and stop living in a make believe world. India has major extremism issues and it's getting worse.
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Nov 29, 2015 03:02pm
@Fazal Karim UN kashmir plebiscite will bring peace between India and Pakistan and in the region. That peace has been held hostage by a few Brahmin ideologues who control the indian government from behind the scenes.
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Nov 29, 2015 03:21pm
@Aa2544 we call it law a order situation that we know how to handle very well..you remember Punjab...it's all peace there now! If need be we will take car of Kashmir law and order situation for 60 centuries until Kashmeries realize that solution will be within India's constitutional perimeter.
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Nov 29, 2015 03:34pm
@Zak Kashmir is in the blood of every Indian citizen. You cannot remove it from our veins. :)
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Nov 29, 2015 03:34pm
@Zak Zak pls let us know your opinion on Tibet and Uighuirs too
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Nov 29, 2015 03:35pm
@BK : Yes my friend we have seen the freedom of speech being followed in India, latest example Aamir Khan.
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Nov 29, 2015 03:41pm
@BK "From India you will get honest observation, that is the freedom of expression everybody enjoys." Freedom to eat beef? Freedom for Amir Khan to speak his mind without getting a "slap bounty"? Think before you type.
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Nov 29, 2015 03:51pm
What noow ? Did he stopped getting his kickbacks from federal government ?
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Nov 29, 2015 03:57pm
Let the peiple of Kashmir decide what they want.
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Nov 29, 2015 03:59pm
Only the great Pak Army can tackle any such threat and it has proved it time after time
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Nov 29, 2015 04:20pm
He is no astrologer. We will see. India will not rest until her ancestral lands are repatriated. India is getting economically and militarily stronger each year. We will wait it out and see who blinks first.
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Nov 29, 2015 05:01pm
Kashmir problem can and should be solved as per the wishes of Kashmiris on both sides of Line of Control. That will be only justice to them after suffering for decades.
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Nov 29, 2015 05:14pm
In a sense he is right. But he is underestimating the strength of Indian State and military. There is lack of political will on Indian politicians. However whole of India will accept if accepted by both parties.
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Nov 29, 2015 05:29pm
@Akram
Yes, our feedom of speech can be gauged from the success of PK in India. Aamir Khan has been enjoying Indian resources and still criticising India, is called freedom of speech.
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Nov 29, 2015 05:54pm
@Freedo but unfortunately india is not in the blood veins of the kashmiris, and it's the kashmiri nation so that's what counts. Get over it, occupations are illegal as Per UN resolution. Pakistan, UN awaits, India evades.
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Nov 29, 2015 05:55pm
@Jai , India unfortunately top of the list, 1971, and since several years the causing havoc in Pakistan, before Sri Lanka and several small neighboring countries. Who want to fight this state actor, no one! Powerful, have a arm in pentagon.
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Nov 29, 2015 05:59pm
@bryan Tibet and Uighurs were not 1947 independence issue between India and Pakistan. Otherwise I might as well comment on Assam, Orissa, Mizoram, Tripura, Magagyar, manipur, Naxaland, Andeman and Nicobar Islands- all Mayanmar territories , wrenched from them by the British in the 18th century and occupied by India in 1947,mwhen British left. IOK is our business.
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Nov 29, 2015 06:07pm
Militancy in Kashmir is an obvious result of maintaining dual standards. It was Shaikh Abdullah who went to jail for opposing Nehru on Kashmir. It was also the same Sheikh Abdullah who was deputed by the same Nehru to Pakistan for talking peaceful solution of Kashmir with Pakistan. If not for the most untimely death of Nehru when Shaikh Abdullah had just arrived in Pakistan, the matter would have settled right then.
It is worthwhile to mention that, J.F.Kennedy had made some covert moves, a few months earlier to bring Nehru and Ayub Khan closer, before himself being assassinated.
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Nov 29, 2015 06:14pm
@Jai - India could never be as strong militarily and economically as USSR was, with humongous military and nuclear weapons but could'nt stand the rag tag mujahideen of Afghanistan. Kashmiris like Afghanistan would never accept foreign boots and foreign religion on their soil, India and you should learn this lesson before India ended up like USSR and you ended up like Russian Pilot violating Turkish territory. Kashmiris will fight with Indian troops till the last Indian go down or till the last Kashmiri stand. Unfortunately India took a fight with Kashmiri nation that has no word of "give up" in Kashmiri language. Free Kashmir from Indian occupation.
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Nov 29, 2015 06:35pm
@Gurjeet Brar Tohada Parona the reason is because IS is created and supported by USA and Israel. The whole western policy is to demonise the Muslims in the eyes of the western people so that they can continue to destroy Muslim States in the Middle East . Just think who benefits from IS atrocities it most certainly isn't the Muslims.
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Nov 29, 2015 06:38pm
@truth you just answered your own question. Kashmiris aren't living safely. See the figures how many Kashmiris killed mainly by the Indian army.
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Nov 29, 2015 06:38pm
Yea because they are not millitants they are freedom fighters people of kashmir r with them.
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Nov 29, 2015 06:39pm
@BK really ? so why have 600000 troops killing and suppressing Kashmiris . You have a funny concept of freedom
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Nov 29, 2015 06:40pm
@Zak
I display my ignorance and everyday with pride.
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Nov 29, 2015 06:44pm
@truth He is provided with security. Your rhetoric is pointless.
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Nov 29, 2015 06:44pm
@sanjeev tyagi wah that is really democracy.
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Nov 29, 2015 06:46pm
@Jai Indians always get conquered see history of India for yourself. Future will b no different.
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Nov 29, 2015 06:52pm
How do you deal with government that looks both ways.
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Nov 29, 2015 06:54pm
@sanjeev tyagi mind set of an invader and occupier. I recall same sentiments by Hitler in his speach in Paris and Soviet Unions premier Breznev about Afghanistan. Both states landed up in the heap of history. Gone with the wind. Learn lesson from past, otherwise the inevitable result awaits the Union of India as well. Don't lose the 95% for the mere 5%.
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Nov 29, 2015 06:59pm
He spoke the truth.
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Nov 29, 2015 07:09pm
I think his remarks are not being understood properly. Terrorism and terrorists are the ugly face of our Society and although can be fought just cannot be eliminated completely as they choose target and target innocent people.
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Nov 29, 2015 07:28pm
@Zak do you know who invaded Kashmir. Go and read..
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Nov 29, 2015 07:43pm
In realty it is a stalemate.
Mr Abdullah has point.
Other option is to keep fighting
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Nov 29, 2015 07:58pm
@Naeem name me one nation in the present world whose boundary was never altered or invaded.
Everything changes with time by the will of people. World always shift its position and always will.
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Nov 29, 2015 08:06pm
@ZEE and Pakistan will fight alongside with you and our beloved Kashmiri brothers and sisters
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Nov 29, 2015 09:00pm
Kashmir and exchange of minority populations are two remaining issues of partition. They have to be solved together. There are people in the establishments in India and Pakistan who are keeping the issues alive to make money.
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Nov 29, 2015 09:11pm
Totally disagree. Militancy will be reduced to just nuisance world over with all the major forces joining hands. You may not even need an armed force to defend your land if the world super powers are behind you. The problem is lack of coordination between the governments. They all been fighting their own battle against militancy. That is changing. It is the world vs militants. And militancy has no chance.
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Nov 29, 2015 09:20pm
But army can?
Is that what is implied?
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Nov 29, 2015 10:13pm
Kasmiris have to decide between rich dad and poor dad or between a progressive and a regressive society!
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Nov 29, 2015 10:15pm
@Zak Freedom of expression I mean for everybody in India, not only for Amir Khan. This is the reason those opposing his idea also aired their views. Lot of people supports Amir Khan also. That is what I told the beauty of Indian democracy. Here Military Chief has no role on general administration, except through elected govt. Thanks for airing your views.
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Nov 29, 2015 10:26pm
@Reality the simplest answer to that would be, which flags do kashmiris in IOK fly and which cricket team do they cheer in matches between Pakistan and India. Who do kashmiris want out. That will give you the answer you are looking for.
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Nov 29, 2015 10:41pm
@Jai “The most dangerous creation of any society is the man who has nothing to lose”! Remember that!
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Nov 29, 2015 10:52pm
@Reality If you keep saying that Kashmir is yours then it doesn't mean that Kashmir is yours.......Read the real history not Indian history!
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Nov 29, 2015 11:13pm
enough is enough.india & pakistan should talk & resolve the problem.pakistan has enough problems to tackle other than kashmir and india has far more problems to contend with.instead of spending billions on weapons & huge armies spare a thought for the poor people who are being deprived of basic necessities.but the vested interests & the arms lobbies in both countries will not allow it to happen because once kashmir problem is solved there will be no justification to puchase huge quantities of weapons & to maintain large standing army.the governments dont care & people are helpless,what a sad state of affairs
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Nov 29, 2015 11:37pm
@Gurjeet Brar Tohada Parona you can only solve a problem when you get to the root cause and that is the right of Kashmiris to decide their own fate via a referendum
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Nov 29, 2015 11:39pm
@Freedo Indians are not Kashmiris and so they should mind their own business and let Kashmiris decide their own future in a referendum
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Nov 30, 2015 12:31am
I think they are already tackling it
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Nov 30, 2015 12:33am
Military strong nations like western world, including Russia can not control terrorism. Mr Abdullah comment is absurd in that sense. He is seeking to recover his old glory.
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Nov 30, 2015 02:09am
@Freedo Kashmir sure is but not the people of Kashmir.
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Nov 30, 2015 02:10am
@ME good you came out of the closet and admitted it. Feel better now.
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Nov 30, 2015 02:31am
@Attique many meanings, start over. lol
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Nov 30, 2015 02:42am
@wise lol
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Nov 30, 2015 02:54am
@Ashok India or any country cannot control freedom of speech. The credit goes to internet, the revolution it brought. Pakistan has as much freedom as any country in the world.
Aamir Khan success very fairly is becuase of India, "his country" but he has the name that is now a stigma. RSS is doing an excellent job stoking the fire. Congrats !!
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Nov 30, 2015 05:27am
@Abdulla Hussain - that's something called Nationalism and being able to think and speak maturely. You might not understand that concept really...
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Nov 30, 2015 10:06am
Oh....away from power he has become philosopher!
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Nov 30, 2015 10:22am
@Abdulla Hussain Aamir got to say what he wanted to and so did the others.
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Nov 30, 2015 01:18pm
Yes, militaries can't tackle terrorism because terrorism is born out of injustice. provide justice, all will be solved.
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Nov 30, 2015 05:31pm
If the world goes after the state terrorists actor then they have to go first to
India as a first country to sponsor Terrorists in East Pakistan then LTT .
Syed Naseem Ahmed
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Nov 30, 2015 09:17pm
@Freedo
You are right...every Indian has Kashmiri blood in its veins. That is why it is constantly haemorrhaging so that this Kashmir madness one day will be all gone out of your soul.
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Nov 30, 2015 09:23pm
@Jai
Economical prosperity is not always synonymous with military strength. You could perish even before blinking. Even smaller countries like Nepal do not think much of you and the way your leaders behave with its neighbours one thing is sure....you are going to be encircled and cut to size.
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Dec 01, 2015 03:50am
Given all the money spent on keeping two armies on high alert the real losers are the Indian and Pakistani people. If only a fraction of this was spent on Health Care, Education, Public Infrastructure both countries would be a lot better off.
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Dec 01, 2015 07:02am
@Zak
That is called freedom dud..
Give that freedom in so called azad Kashmir to see the results of any plebiscite you are asking for.
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Dec 01, 2015 07:56am
@Zak do u know how many millions votes in elections?
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Dec 01, 2015 05:29pm
@joe now you are talking, dude! UN resolution asks for plebiscite in both parts of kashmir as one nation, Azad kashmir and IOK. Pakistan is ready, why are Indians so afraid, surely they feel all kashmiris from both sides will vote to join India, as I keep reading indians say. So be brave and have the plebiscite. We wait.
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Dec 01, 2015 06:05pm
YOUR COMMENT@all indians i am also a resident of kashmir belonging to district kupwara.farooq abdullah is right in saying that indian army canot fight all militants of which ongoing encounter in my own district i.e,kupwara is an evidence where about 43 army personnel have been killed by two militants only and the indian army has so far failed to nab them.indian army does not reveal this because they want to save their image before the world.so lol indians have guts to face reality.
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Dec 01, 2015 07:25pm
@Zak
The first precondition of plebiscite as laid in the resolution is for Pakistan to completely vacate areas under its occupation and hand over the control to India.
Will Pakistan do that?
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Dec 01, 2015 07:27pm
Talks without preconditions and assumptions need to take place to resolve differences. I am sure both countries can come to a compromise.
That said it is up to the Kashmiri's to decide on who should rule them. India should allow a free vote and settle the issue.
India should observe all UN resolutions.
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