Omar questions Pak offer to join ‘neutral’ probe into terror attack

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday questioned Pakistan’s offer to join any “neutral and transparent” probe into the terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people on April 22.

Omar said initially Pakistan did not even accept that something had happened. “First they did not accept that something happened in Pahalgam. Then they even said it was done by India. They were the ones who first accused us, so it’s difficult to say anything about them,” Abdullah told reporters.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reportedly said that Pakistan was open to neutral and transparent probe in Pahalgam attack.

Talking to reporters during Ramban tour, Abdullah said, “I do not want to comment on their (Pakistani leaders) statements. I regret the incident, which should not have happened.”

He also said that the incident at Pahalgam should not be communalised. He said it was a pony ride operator, Adil, who bravely confronted the attackers to protect the tourists and died while doing so.

Abdullah asked the people to remember the human cost borne by the locals. “Those who are trying to give this attack a communal colour should remember Adil. He gave his life protecting the lives of those he did not even know,” the CM said.