J&K CM Mehbooba Mufti vouches for dialogue between India, Pakistan

Srinagar: In the wake of the rising tension on the borders between India and Pakistan and killing of civilians, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Tuesday made a fervent appeal for peace and political dialogue between the neighbouring countries to de-escalate the "perilously hostile situation" prevailing in the region.

Mehbooba expressed "deep anguish" and "grave concern" over the loss of human lives and destruction of property in the unabated border shelling and firing along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in the state.

I am deeply pained over the fresh spate of civilian killings, including children and women, in border shelling and urge the political leadership in New Delhi and Islamabad to take effective and urgent measures to de-escalate the situation and bring an end to the miseries of the hapless people of Jammu and Kashmir, she said. Mehbooba said the repeated border shelling has seen a "tragic humanitarian crisis" unfolding in the region, where innocent civilians and their properties are being targeted.

We in Jammu and Kashmir yearn for peace as we have been suffering immensely because of the hostility and violence in the region and know very well its dangers and perilous consequences, she said.

The Chief Minister said the necessity and urgency of dialogue has assumed more significance in the "prevailing disturbing situation" and the escalation of violence along the borders should keep reminding both India and Pakistan of the inevitability of sitting across the table to find a peaceful, just and pragmatic solution of all contentious issues.

"India and Pakistan must open the channels of communication, at the earliest, realising the dangerous consequences of any escalation of ongoing confrontation along the borders," she said.

The Chief Minister called for serious efforts at the political and civil society levels to revive the peace and reconciliation process for the larger good of the people "sandwiched in a gory scenario of death and destruction".

Whatever be the reasons for hardening of stances and attempts by the vested interests to subvert the peace process, there is, however, no substitute to the reconciliatory policy which was started in 2003 and had worked so well, Mehbooba asserted.

She asked the divisional administration in Jammu and the district administrations concerned to reach out to the people affected by the border shelling with all possible support.

Meanwhile, Opposition National Conference also expressed shock over the loss of human lives in shelling and firing along the IB and the LoC.

NC president Farooq Abdullah and working president Omar Abdullah, in a statement, said there is an immediate need for de-escalation of situation on borders, as unfortunately "our people are becoming ill-fated victims of the border skirmishes".

The father-son duo expressed concern over continued shelling in civilian areas.

Conveying their condolences to the bereaved families, they said the party shares their grief and agony.

Eight people were killed and 22 others injured when Pakistani troops heavily shelled border hamlets and military posts with mortar bombs along the IB and the LoC in Samba, Jammu, Poonch and Rajouri districts of the state on Tuesday.