Farooq Abdullah Welcomes Ceasefire, Urges Pakistan to Address Cross-Border Terrorism Concerns

Srinagar, May 10 — National Conference president Farooq Abdullah on Saturday welcomed the announcement of the cessation of military actions between India and Pakistan, urging Pakistan to take concrete steps to address India's concerns over cross-border terrorism.

In a statement issued from Srinagar, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said the ceasefire was a crucial step towards easing the suffering of residents along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), who have been directly impacted by the recent escalation in tensions.

“Our people along the LoC and IB have borne the brunt of the deteriorating situation between the two neighbouring countries. This measure will greatly alleviate the suffering of our people who have been caught in the crossfire,” he said.

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Abdullah emphasized that ending hostilities was imperative for restoring peace and normalcy in the region. He reiterated the National Conference's longstanding stance advocating peaceful and cooperative relations between India and Pakistan.

However, he stressed that while the ceasefire is a welcome development, the onus is on Pakistan to take the lead in building trust by addressing New Delhi’s persistent concerns related to terrorism originating from its territory.

“The primary responsibility to bridge the trust deficit lies with Pakistan, which must address India's genuine concerns regarding cross-border terrorism,” Abdullah stated.

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The ceasefire comes amid heightened tensions and military exchanges between the two nations, impacting civilian life and property, especially in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir.