Shah targets Farooq Abdullah for remarks against Army, calls for strong anti-terror stance

Says, they will neither win nor will terrorism return, nor will Article 370 come back

Jammu : Home Minister Amit Shah launched a scathing attack against National Conference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah, saying he had “stooped” so low in his desperation that he had made unfounded allegations of Indian Army having links with terrorists.

Promising to bury terrorism so deep that it will not return for seven generations, Shah said a major security setup is being developed and Village Defence Guards (VDGs) and Special Police Officers (SPOs) are being restructured.

“Farooq Abdullah has lost control in his bid to win elections. In a recent statement, he said that the army and terrorists are linked. Everyone contests to win elections, but how low can Farooq Abdullah stoop in his attempt to secure a win?” Shah said at a public rally in Kishtwar on Monday”

Shah, who was campaigning for party candidates Shagun Parihar and Taraq Keen, reminded the audience that the army protected Jammu and Kashmir in three wars and continues to shield its people, often sacrificing their lives. “Insulting them is unacceptable,” he said.

Shah noted that the army operates in extreme conditions, enduring temperatures as low as minus 43 degrees. “Elections come and go, but to malign our armed forces does not behove someone of his (Farooq) stature,” he said.

In August, Farooq Abdullah sparked controversy after suggesting that the Army might be complicit with terrorists who are infiltrating the country.

“There is a massive troop deployment on our borders. Terrorists continue to infiltrate Indian territory. How can this happen? Ye sab miley hue hain (There is collusion between them),” Abdullah had said.

Shah urged voters to “defeat the dynasties” of the Abdullahs, Gandhis, and Muftis.

“For once, defeat these three families, and I promise you terrorism will be buried so deep, it won’t return for seven generations.”

Shah also took potshots at National Conference leader Omar Abdullah’s statement that Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru should not have been hanged. “This shows what will happen if they come to power,” he said.

“Omar Abdullah says that Afzal Guru should not have been hanged. If this is the situation, what will happen once their government is formed? Stone-pelting will resume, funerals for militants will occur, attacks will escalate, and investment will stop.

“The Abdullah-Gandhi families may return to seek patronage of terrorism, showing no shame in doing so. But with Narendra Modi’s government in power, nothing like this will happen,” he said.

Shah also criticised the NC-Congress alliance, warning voters that their plans could jeopardise the region’s security.

“They claim they will release all the terrorists from jails if they come to power. Is that what you want? This region has already suffered the worst of terrorism in the 1990s.

“Our candidate Shagun Parihar has lost both her father and uncle to terrorism. Whatever NC or Congress may plan, no force can revive terrorism in the Pir Panjal area under Narendra Modi’s government,” he said.

The Home Minister also highlighted the government’s efforts to strengthen local security forces, including modernising weapons for Special Police Officers (SPOs) and Village Defence Guards (VDGs).

“We are restructuring SPOs and VDGs, giving them SLR rifles instead of outdated 303 models. Our priority is addressing their issues and forming a strong security ring to keep terrorism at bay,” Shah said.

Issuing a warning to terrorists, Shah stated, “If you have plans to spread terror, now is the time to rethink and leave from here. The Indian Army and other forces are prepared to bury you here.”

Referring to the history of the Abdullah-Gandhi alliance, Shah recalled how Congress leaders had imprisoned Sheikh Abdullah, the NC founder, for sedition. “Indira Gandhi put Sheikh Abdullah in jail for years, and now his grandson Omar Abdullah is in an alliance with Rahul Gandhi.

“If Rahul Gandhi has the courage, he should bring back the White Paper that Congress introduced in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly against Abdullah,” Shah challenged.

He expressed surprise at how the “lure of power” has drawn Congress and NC together.

“I am astonished as to what the lure of power can do. The Congress family, which labelled Sheikh Abdullah as anti-national and kept him in jail for years, now allies with Omar Abdullah to take on Modi Ji. This alliance is about regaining power, not public service,” he added.

Shah assured voters that the Modi government would continue its efforts to eradicate terrorism, safeguard Article 370’s abrogation, and protect reservations.

“Don’t worry. They will neither win nor will terrorism return, nor will Article 370 come back, nor will reservations be revoked,” he affirmed.

On BJP candidate Shagun Parihar, Shah praised her family’s sacrifices in the fight against terrorism.

“When people said she was too young for this candidacy, I reminded them of her family’s martyrdom — her father and uncle died for this nation. She will not only represent development but also be a strong voice against terrorism.”

“Voting for Shagun is not just a vote for the nation’s security or development, but a tribute to her father and uncle, who sacrificed their lives for the country,” Shah said.

Shah also took a moment to congratulate para-athlete Sheetal Devi, who recently won a bronze medal in Paris Paralympics and was honoured with the Arjuna Award, for making India proud.

CNI