Talks with Pakistan only after bringing 26/11 perpetrators to justice, says Farooq Abdullah

JAMMU - Union New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah on Saturday said talks with Pakistan can resume only when that country takes action against the perpetrators of Mumbai terror attacks.

He was addressing the gathering at a function organised to mark the ‘Shaheedi Divas’ the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi by JK Peace Foundation (JKPF) here.

“Indian stand is that terrorism be wiped out and those involved in Mumbai attack be punished,” Abdullah said.

He added that when India feels that Pakistan has taken action against the perpetrators of Mumbai attack, talks would resume.

Abdullah is the second Union Minister to express unhappiness over Pakistan’s inaction to bring the perpetrators of 26/11 to justice.

Eearlier in the week, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram had strongly refuted Pakistan Prime Minister Yousaf Gilani’s claim that there was insufficient evidence on Lashkar chief Hafiz Saeed’s links to 26/11, saying that even a “station officer can begin an investigation” on the basis of the information given to Pakistan.

In his address Abdullah expressed concern over the continued infiltration attempts along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

He also expressed confidence that Indian forces are ready to foil any bid made by Pakistan.

Commenting over Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari’s statement that the turmoil in J-K is ideological, Abdullah said, “Some statements are for consumption of their own people and they say what they want for them.” (ANI)