Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today voiced concerns over the escalation of ‘war-like situation’ along the border areas after Indian Army conducted surgical operation in PoK.
She warned that confrontation could lead to a ‘disaster of epic proportions’ for the state.
Calling for restraint and de-escalation of the ‘war-like situation’, the CM said that India and Pakistan must open the channels of communication realizing the dangerous consequences of any escalation of ongoing confrontation along the borders.
The people of Jammu and Kashmir have the greatest stakes in peace as they have undergone enormous tragedies because of the blood-spattered violence in the state, she said while commenting on the surgical strike.
"We in J&K have suffered immensely because of the violence and know very well its dangers and consequences," she said.
"For the people of Jammu and Kashmir, peace along the borders and within the mainland is of immense significance and I hope the political leadership of the two countries would also treat it with the same spirit," she added.
"Like siblings locked in an endless rivalry, India and Pakistan have bickered for well over six decades and transforming that rivalry into a mature, productive relationship will be difficult. But the consequences of continued animosity will be much worse," she further said.
The necessity of dialogue has assumed more significance in the post-nuclear phase, she said while maintaining that war is never an option to resolve issues and India and Pakistan should instead together fight poverty and economic deprivation plaguing the region.
Earlier this morning, 11 says after Uri terror attack, Indian Army said that it carried out surgical strikes on terrorist launch pads across the LoC in Pakistan and inflicted heavy casualties. Islamabad, however, insisted that there had been only cross-border clashes that left two of its soldiers dead.
