Waris Fayaz
Baramulla, Oct 14: Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Surinder Kumar Choudhary on Tuesday called for dialogue between India and Pakistan, saying engagement and talks are better alternatives to conflict.
“If India’s team can play with Pakistan’s team, and if Afghanistan’s Minister can come here and hold talks, then what is the harm in talking to Pakistan? That’s why I don’t think that today is the era of war,” Choudhary, told reporters in Baramulla.
Reacting to statements by the Western Army Commander on possible Pakistani aggression along the LoC, he said, “Those who comment on conflicts from afar should visit the border to witness the reality. What the general says is not new. This has been a common situation for us”.
Choudhary said that J&K has faced repeated conflicts since 1947 and has undergone significant changes, including its transition from a state to a Union Territory. “So, there is nothing new for J&K. The people of J&K are brave and patriotic. They have always kept the flag high and stood behind our troops whenever there was a war,” he said, adding that war is not the solution to any problem.
He warned that modern warfare is destructive for both countries and especially for civilians. “This war is not like the wars of the past. This is a war of technology. In today’s world, attacks can be launched from Pakistan and reach anywhere, while our forces can respond from Delhi or other locations to any corner of Pakistan. The poor people, who have nothing to do with these conflicts and do not even understand the full meaning of war, are the ones who suffer the most,” he said.
As a border resident, Dy CM criticized sensationalized media coverage. “News can be good to increase TRP, but what about asking the poor person whose house was destroyed during Operation Sindoor? Many have still not received compensation. What about the children who were injured”?
He urged people to pray for peace, saying, “You should pray that there is no war. War is not a good thing and there should be no war.”
On safety, he added that the Union Home Minister has assured individual bunkers for all border households. “Even today, MLAs of the border raised the issue of individual bunkers. While some bunkers exist, we only remember them when war comes,” he said.
He stressed permanent preparedness for disasters. “When there is a flood, we remember that rivers should be strengthened. Why not arrange for these measures from the beginning?”
He appealed to people of all faiths to seek divine intervention for peace. “Pray to the God you believe in Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs that there should never be a war. This war is the name of destruction. I would never want there to be a war, being a resident of the border area”, he said—(KNO)
