India, Pakistan must talk to end militancy in Jammu & Kashmir: Farooq Abdullah

In the backdrop of latest terror strike in Kathua, ruling National Conference president and Union minister Farooq Abdullah said on Friday India and Pakistan need to sit together to have decisive talks to end militancy in Jammu and Kashmir.

"It (Kathua attack) is a proof that militancy in our neighbourhood has not stopped. Let me make one thing clear that without settlement with Pakistan, militancy will not end," Abdullah, who is National Conference candidate from the Srinagar Lok Sabha constituency, told reporters.

He said the talks the two countries have to be very decisive so that militancy ends, otherwise the people of Jammu and Kashmir will continue to suffer and the militants will continue to cross the border.

"Howsoever we might make it (the Line of Control) impermeable, they (militants) will still penetrate as you have seen in Kathua today. That is why I have always said, not only here but even in Indian Parliament, that... India and Pakistan must sit down and sort out their affairs as quickly as possible so that this militancy can end," Abdullah said.

Two persons, including an Army jawan, were killed and three others injured when three militants penetrated from across the border and attacked civilians before being engaged by Army in Kathua district on Friday.

Meanwhile, Abdullah expressed anguish over the crash involving a newly-acquired US-made C-130J transport aircraft near Gwalior killing five crew members including four officers.

"I think it is a sad thing and it was a very new C-130 which have just come from America... It is unfortunate, really unfortunate to loose these men and to loose an aircraft which is so new," the Union minister said.