‘India responded in response to attack’
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, May 7: As the defence forces struck across the Line of Control (LoC), Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said today that India has responded to provocation following the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 civilians.
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Speaking to reporters here, Omar said that had the Pahalgam attack not occurred, the current situation would not have arisen, as tourism was “flourishing,” people were “living in peace,” and the ceasefire along the LoC was intact.
He also said that India has gone out of its way to ensure no military or civilian targets were hit, contrary to Pakistan, which, he said, has targeted civilian areas.
“We did not provoke this. We have responded to a provocation. Now it is for Pakistan to realize that our response was limited to what happened in Pahalgam. They must be careful not to escalate the situation beyond control,” the Chief Minister said.
He added that after the Pahalgam attack, the Centre had clearly stated there would be a response-and that response has come.
“The response was not aimed at civilian or military establishments, but only at locations associated with organizations that have caused destruction in Jammu and Kashmir over the past 35 years. Only those were targeted-nothing else,” he said, adding, “It began in Pahalgam, where 26 innocent people were killed. We have not forgotten that.”
Referring to the aftermath of India’s operation, Omar said that what followed was continuous shelling of civilian areas from across the LoC.
“Indian defence forces have gone out of their way to ensure no military or civilian targets were hit in Pakistan. They have only struck terror bases and launch pads. Pakistan, on the other hand, has gone out of its way to target civilian populations,” Omar said.
The Chief Minister reiterated that had innocent people not been killed in Pahalgam, this day would not have come. “Before that incident, people were living in peace, and the internal situation was quite stable,” he said.
“The current situation is not of our making. What happened in Pahalgam required a response. But how far Pakistan wants to take this is up to them,” he added.
Omar emphasized that he does not want war, especially since the people of Jammu and Kashmir bear the brunt in such situations.
“I am not a beater of war drums. I don’t want a war-nobody wants a war. I don’t think there is anyone in the Government of India who wants this situation to escalate into a war,” he said.
He stressed that people want a return to normalcy, but for that to happen, “our neighbour has to silence their guns. Guns won’t open from this side either.”
Regarding the shelling from Pakistan affecting populated areas near the LoC and border, the Chief Minister said he held a video conference with Deputy Commissioners from across J&K.
“I have reviewed the situation, and we are responding as events unfold. Despite ongoing shelling, the DC of Poonch was able to join the video conference,” he said.
The Chief Minister said he has assessed the status of hospitals, blood supplies, and other essential services in Poonch, and that more ambulances are being moved to forward areas.
“As the situation develops, our response will be tailored accordingly. I have directed the Finance Department to release contingency funds to all Deputy Commissioners, with additional allocations for those in border and LoC areas to deal with any exigencies,” he said.
Earlier, Omar chaired an emergency meetingwith Deputy Commissioners of all border districts through video conferencing to assess the situation in the wake of intense cross border shelling in these districts.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioners of Kashmir and Jammu, Commissioner Secretary Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Secretary Health & Medical Education and Deputy Commissioners of Jammu, Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Samba, Baramulla, Kupwara and Bandipora districts.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister gave directions to immediately release Contingency Funds of Rs 5 crore to each border district and Rs 2 crore each to other districts so that Deputy Commissioners are equipped to deal with the exigencies arising and requiring availability of adequate resources. CM directed that frontier districts be accorded special priority in the disbursement of these funds.
Underscoring the paramount importance of safeguarding civilian lives, Omar called for strengthening infrastructure with regard to providing shelters and bunkers for public in border areas, keeping evacuation plans ready, ensuring sufficient stock of food supplies. In respect of medical assistance, the Chief Minister directed Health Department to maintain sufficient stock of essential medical supplies, ensuring availability of doctors, paramedics and keeping blood supply ready in case of any depletion in hospitals, especially in vulnerable areas. He also directed to move Ambulances to the border districts witnessing cross border shelling so that in case of any casualty, the injured are rushed to the hospitals.
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