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Omar condemns twin strike

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 9/26/2013 11:26:06 PM

‘Manmohan-Sharief talks defeat for those behind attacks’

SRINAGAR, Sep 26: Strongly condemning the twin attacks at Hiranagar and Samba, chief minister Omar Abdullah today said that talks between prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Mian Nawaz Sharief in New York will defeat the designs of those behind such dastardly acts.
Addressing a press conference here this morning, chief minister said the attacks were carried out to derail the talks between the two prime ministers. “I do not say that we should be goodie goodie and hug Pakistan during talks. We should be tough and tell the leadership of neighbouring country that attacks must be ended if they are really serious for talks,” he said.
Omar stated that given “our history and given the timing as well as location of the attacks, one thing is obvious that the aim of these terrorists is to derail the proposed dialogue.” The forces inimical to interests of Jammu and Kashmir have always tried to derail the peace process between India and Pakistan and the terror strikes were a step in that direction. These (attackers) are forces that have always been inimical to the interests of Jammu and Kashmir ...that have always tried to derail any peace process that is sought to be initiated. They have sought to keep the turmoil in the state on. This is another step in that direction," chief minister stated.
Omar said that there will be political pressure on the prime minister not to move ahead with the dialogue process with Pakistan but any such move will mean a victory for the perpetrators of the attacks in Kathua and Samba.
"Clearly there will be political pressure brought to bear on the prime minister to resist any further movement in the dialogue process. Obviously, it is for the prime minister and his advisors to decide how to proceed further in this matter,” chief minister said.
He observed that as far as “we in this state are concerned, we have always been committed to a peaceful resolution of all problems that have existed in this state and we hope that it is the course that is followed.”
The chief minister said it will be an injustice to those brave soldiers and civilians who laid down their lives if the dialogue process is stalled due to the strikes.
"They did not lay down their lives to allow the terrorists to succeed in their designs. They laid down their lives for peace," he said.
Regarding the demand by some national opposition parties to discontinue talks with Pakistan, Omar said this will not help. “We discontinued talks after attack on Parliament. We sent delegations to 48 countries in support of the demand that Pakistan should hand over us the wanted persons. Not a single person was handed over to India. Later after Mumbai attack, we again suspended talks and had to talk again. When we stop dialogue, it is the victory of the forces who are against talks and peace,” he said.
Asked whether the political leadership in Pakistan was playing a double game by launching attacks in Jammu and Kashmir and hold talks on the other side, Omar said, “I do not know whether the elected government in Pakistan was aware about the attack. But I have an inner feeling which can be true also that Nawaz Sharief is for dialogue with India.”
Chief minister revealed that he would convene a unified head quarter meeting in Jammu either this evening or tomorrow to discuss the twin attacks. “We will discuss the attacks and see if there was some complacency on our part and how such attacks can be stopped in future,” he said.
Omar said the militants might have infiltrated after crossing infiltration.” I think they might have carried out the attack within 24 hours of their infiltration,” he said.
Omar refused to comment on Gen V.K. Singh related issue.