'Encounters keep taking place...': Farooq Abdullah on recent Army operations in J&K

Farooq Abdullah

Speaking on the recent spurt in terror activities and subsequent encounters in Jammu and Kashmir, National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah on Wednesday said that encounters in the region will keep taking place as and when terrorists try to disturb peace and harmony in the region.

On Tuesday morning, the Army killed three militants in Jammu's Akhoor, where militants made an abortive attempt to attack security forces. The latest encounter in the Jammu region comes amid a surge in terrorist activities in Kashmir where seven attacks have occurred in the past two weeks. The encounter began on Monday when the terrorists fired at an ambulance that was part of an Army convoy near the Line of Control (LoC).

Responding to a question on the Akhnoor encounter, the veteran NC leader said that encounters keep taking place. "Terrorists keep coming and we will keep killing them," said the NC chief.

Speaking to the press on Tuesday, Abdullah shared his optimism about Jammu and Kashmir's development. He believes that the new government will lead the region towards prosperity in the coming years.

"We have to fight terrorism like we have been doing over the years. We have to face this disease and defeat it. Those who wanted us to join Pakistan have failed," Abdullah remarked, hinting at separatists in Kashmir.

The former chief minister pointed out that religious hatred poses a threat to national unity. He called for its removal to ensure harmony among citizens. Abdullah also expressed his desire to see Jammu and Kashmir progress by improving infrastructure, such as roads and electricity, particularly in smart cities.