Pakistan 'Chudiyan Pehne Hue Nahi Hai': Farooq Abdullah Points To Nuclear Threat After Rajnath's PoK Remark

National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah responded to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's remarks on India's claim over PoK as he warned that Pakistan also possesses nuclear weapons.

National Conference President and former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Sunday evoked Pakistan's nuclear capabilities in response to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's remarks on India's claim over Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK) stating that the country won't have to integrate the region by force. Regarding this, the National Conference President and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Farooq Abdullah said that Pakistan is not wearing bangles and they also have a nuclear bomb.

The NC President said, “If the Defense Minister is thinking like this then go ahead. Who are we to stop but remember, they (Pakistan) are also not wearing bangles. They also have a nuclear bomb and unfortunately, that nuclear bomb will fall on us.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh On PoK, Pakistan

On Saturday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reiterated India's stance on PoK, stating that India will never relinquish its claim on the region. Singh expressed confidence that the people of PoK would voluntarily seek integration with India, inspired by the developmental progress witnessed in Kashmir.

In an exclusive interview with PTI, Singh remarked, "We will not have to use force to take PoK as people would say that we must be merged with India. Such demands are now coming." He emphasised that PoK "was, is, and will remain ours."

He highlighted the significant improvements in the ground situation in Jammu and Kashmir, suggesting that a time will come when the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) will no longer be necessary in the region. However, he deferred decisions regarding AFSPA to the Union Home Ministry.

"The way the ground situation has changed in Jammu and Kashmir, the way the region is witnessing economic progress and the way peace has returned there, I think demands will emerge from people of PoK that they should merge with India," he said. "We will not have to use force to take PoK as people would say that we must be merged with India. Such demands are now coming," he added.

"The way the situation is improving in Jammu and Kashmir, I think a time will come when AFSPA will no longer be required there," the Defence Minister further stated, as quoted by PTI.

Regarding Pakistan's involvement in cross-border terrorism, Singh urged Islamabad to cease its destabilising activities, "They are trying to destabilise India and we will not allow it to happen." He affirmed India's commitment to combating cross-border terrorism and maintaining normal neighbourly relations, contingent upon Pakistan creating an environment free of terror and hostility.

India-Pakistan relations have remained strained, particularly since India's airstrikes on a Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot, Pakistan, in February 2019, following the Pulwama terror attack. The situation further deteriorated when India revoked the special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and reorganised the state into two union territories on August 5, 2019.

India has consistently advocated for normal neighbourly relations with Pakistan, while emphasising Pakistan's responsibility to address terrorism and hostility. In recent years, India has pursued an assertive approach to dealing with terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir.