Srinagar, Jul 30: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday challenged the Centre’s claim that the abrogation of Article 370 would end terrorism in the Union Territory.
Speaking at a tourism event in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, Omar pointed out that even six years after the constitutional change, terrorism continues unabated in the region.
“You will have to ask those who said in 2019 that if terrorists are reduced to 370, terrorism will end. It’s been six years since Article 370 was removed, yet terrorists are still being killed,” he said. “There is a clear gap between what was promised and what is happening on the ground.”
Omar was attending the event to promote Jammu and Kashmir tourism, highlighting the traditional contribution of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and West Bengal to Kashmir’s tourism sector.
“When tourism resumed, visitors from Gujarat, Maharashtra, and West Bengal were among the first to return. We’ve come here hoping this connection continues to grow,” he said.
Addressing the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, CM Omar Abdullah expressed concern over security lapses and stressed the need for accountability.
“People are talking about Operation Sindoor, which is a positive step. But there are many questions the central government must answer,” he said.
He referred to the official statement by the Lieutenant Governor, who acknowledged both an intelligence and security failure related to the Pahalgam attack.
“When the LG himself admits that both intelligence and security failed, then someone must be held responsible,” Omar said.
Omar also said that while three Pakistani terrorists involved in the Pahalgam incident had been killed and two more arrested in an ongoing operation, no action had been taken on the failure of the security apparatus.
“We have carried out the operation against the terrorists. The three Pakistanis responsible for the Pahalgam incident have been killed,” he said. “But the intelligence and security failure there no action has been taken on it yet,” he added.
“People would like to hear about it,” Omar said, insisting that accountability must be fixed.
