SrinagarJun 24, 2025 18:39 IST
First published on: Jun 24, 2025 at 18:27 IST
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Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said it is “important” that no locals were involved in the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 people and led to the escalation of hostilities between India and Pakistan.
His comments come days after the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested two Kashmiri locals for allegedly harbouring the terrorists, and concluded based on their questioning that all three attackers were from Pakistan. “They (the arrested men) have disclosed the identities of the three armed terrorists involved in the attack, and have also confirmed that they were Pakistani nationals affiliated to the proscribed terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba,” an NIA spokesperson had said.
“The important thing is that there was no local involvement in this (Pahalgam attack),” Omar said while talking to the reporters in Gulmarg on Tuesday. “Those who fired, those who killed 26 people, they were all from outside.”
“Two people have been arrested by the NIA for helping them (the attackers), and perhaps the NIA has said that they were coerced to help,” the chief minister said. “They gave them food, etc. They were forced. Let’s allow the NIA investigation to carry on, and then they will file a chargesheet into it.”
Omar also addressed reports that there could be a delay in the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, and that it would happen after the present government completes its term.
“Statehood is not for the MLAs or the government, it is for the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding that statehood is the right of residents. “If statehood is brought, we will not stand in the way. In fact, I will ask the Governor to dissolve the Assembly the very next day.”
Omar also welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and Iran. “There has been a lot of destruction in these 11 days, we would like there to be a ceasefire as soon as possible and that it stands,” he said.
