CM Omar Abdullah Says Killing of Militants Involved in Pahalgam Attack Will Be a ‘Good Thing’

Srinagar, KNT: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the government and security forces have been relentlessly pursuing the militants responsible for the recent Pahalgam attack. Reacting to the ongoing Dachigam encounter in which three militants were killed, Omar Abdullah said, “From the day of the Pahalgam attack, whether it is the police, paramilitary, or the army, they are after them. If even one of them is killed in an encounter today, it will be a good thing.”

Speaking to reporters, Abdullah welcomed the discussion on Operation Sindoor in Parliament but urged the House to first debate the serious lapses that led to the Pahalgam incident. “Recently, the Lieutenant Governor himself admitted that there was definitely negligence. There was an intelligence and security failure, so that should be discussed first. If there was indeed a failure, then who was held responsible for it?” he questioned.

He emphasized that such issues must not be swept aside in the rush to hail security actions.

Touching upon the long-pending issue of Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood, Abdullah said his party remains hopeful of a positive outcome during the ongoing Parliament session. “We are hoping that we will get something in this session. If we don’t, then we will talk after that,” he said. However, he ruled out any immediate agitation, adding, “I will not go on strike, at least for now, as long as the Parliament session is going on.” [KNT]