Srinagar, June 24 (JKNS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday made it clear that no local was involved in the brutal terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22, which claimed the lives of 26 innocent people. He said the attackers were all foreign terrorists.
While interacting with the media at Gulmarg, CM Omar, as per news agency JKNS, said the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is investigating the case, has so far arrested two persons accused of providing shelter to the attackers.
“It appears that these individuals might have acted out of fear or compulsion. They gave food to the terrorists, but perhaps under pressure. We should allow the investigation to reach its conclusion. Once complete, the NIA will file a chargesheet and proceed with legal action,” CM Omar said.
CM Omar said, “The faster a ceasefire is achieved, the better. The fighting went on for 12 days and caused massive damage,” he said, expressing hope that peace efforts would succeed soon.
He further said the government has been deeply concerned about the safety of J&K students stranded in the region. “Our priority was to bring our children home. Flight operations were at times hampered by airspace closures, but we are hopeful that a large group will return today, completing our evacuation efforts,” CM Omar said. (JKNS)