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No international monitoring of LoC: Omar Abdullah

Mukhtar Ahmad in Srinagar

Dismissing the possibility of a multinational force monitoring incursions across Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Omar Abdullah on Thursday said, "Our troops are fully capable of dealing with the situation of terrorism."

Responding to US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld's statement that Al Qaeda terrorists were present near LoC, Omar Abdullah said, "It is a major development for India as US has also recognised our concern. Earlier, it was India talking about Al Qaeda presence in the state. Now the US has recognised the danger."

On the role of international community during the recent escalation in tension, Omar Abdullah said, "There has been increased international role, but that has been simply to avoid conflict between India and Pakistan."

"But we have reiterated that Kashmir is a bilateral issue between India and Pakistan, to be resolved through dialogue and that stand has not changed," he said. "But we have never said that we will not allow the international community to play a role where the question of avoiding a conflict comes."

Omar Abdullah said Pakistan must close all training camps and stop supporting militants.

Saying that India has always sought to 'avoid military conflict through the use of diplomatic pressure', he added that the country was successful in making Pakistan 'renounce' terrorism and cross-border infiltration.

On Indo-Pak dialogue, Omar Abdullah said, "Talks with Pakistan will take place once Pakistan turns the corner and stop infiltration and support to militants in Kashmir."

On future relations with NDA, Omar said, "BJP is not everlasting at the centre and once I take over as the new NC chief later this month, the party's working committee will decide whether or not we should remain part of the ruling NDA."

He said restoration of autonomy to state will remain the main plank of the NC during the October polls.

Terrorism Strikes in Jammu: The complete coverage

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