Engage in dialogue to end border hostilities: Farooq Abdullah

Amid the escalating tension on borders, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah today underlined the importance of India-Pakistan engagement to end the hostilities.“The brunt of border skirmishes is hugely borne by the residents of forward areas and I hope that India and Pakistan will engage in a meaningful dialogue bringing an end to the hostilities,” he said in a statement issued here.

Farooq expressed concern over fresh spell of ceasefire violation along the Line of Control in Krishna Ghati in Poonch, leading to killing of two soldiers and injuries to several others including



civilians.

He said that shelling for the past few weeks has generated “fear psychosis” among border dwellers, resulting in their dislocation from their home and hearth.He said the escalation on the borders has paralysed life in the entire belt along the International Border and Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

Two army jawans were killed and five others — two soldiers, two civilian women and a BSF officer– were injured as Pakistani army opened unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Krishna Ghati and Poonch sectors of Poonch district today, violating the ceasefire.