New Delhi, Farooq Abdullah, leader of the National Conference, issued a stern warning to India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, cautioning against underestimating Pakistan’s capabilities following Singh’s remarks about Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK).
According to Kashmir Media Service, during a media interview in New Delhi, Rajnath Singh reiterated longstanding claims over AJK, suggesting that the residents of the region would opt to join India, inspired by the development in occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Singh emphasized that India would not use force to achieve this end.
Abdullah responded sharply to Singh’s comments, highlighting the potential risks of such a stance given Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. “Remember, they (Pakistan) are also not wearing bangles. It has atom bombs, and unfortunately, that atom bomb will fall on us,” Abdullah said, implying severe repercussions if tensions were to escalate over Kashmir.
The National Conference leader also criticized the current Indian government’s handling of the security situation in occupied Kashmir and advocated for dialogue between India and Pakistan to resolve the longstanding issues that fuel unrest in the region.