National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Tuesday said that Operation Sindoor has paid dividends but cautioned that war is not a sustainable solution. Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, the former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir emphasized the need for dialogue to achieve lasting peace in the region.
Operation Sindoor's Impact
Abdullah acknowledged that the military operation, which targeted militant hideouts across the Line of Control, has yielded positive results in terms of reducing cross-border infiltration. However, he stressed that military action alone cannot resolve the decades-old conflict. "Operation Sindoor has paid dividends in the short term, but we cannot rely solely on force. War is not sustainable," he said.
Call for Dialogue
The veteran politician urged both India and Pakistan to return to the negotiating table. "We have seen enough bloodshed. The only way forward is through dialogue and diplomacy. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have suffered immensely, and they deserve peace," Abdullah added.
He also expressed concerns over the humanitarian impact of continued hostilities, highlighting the need for confidence-building measures between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. Abdullah's remarks come amid heightened tensions along the border following recent clashes.
Political Reactions
Reactions to Abdullah's statement were mixed. While opposition parties supported his call for peace, some ruling coalition members argued that a strong military stance is necessary to counter terrorism. The BJP criticized Abdullah for what they termed as "soft-pedaling" on national security.
Nevertheless, Abdullah maintained that his position is rooted in the welfare of the people. "I have always stood for the rights of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. My demand for dialogue is not new; it is a consistent stance," he concluded.
