Srinagar: Mehbooba Mufti, President of the Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party (JKPDP) and former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, issued a solemn statement today addressing the rapidly escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. Expressing deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in the region, she highlighted the heavy toll being paid by civilians, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir.
The statement comes in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which claimed 26 innocent lives, and the subsequent Indian military operation, Operation Sindoor, launched on May 7. Mufti condemned the violence and emphasized the urgent need for diplomatic intervention to avoid further bloodshed.
“The people of our region have long borne the brunt of such conflicts,” she stated. “India, as the world’s largest democracy and a rising global power, must take the lead in de-escalating tensions.”
Mufti also referenced international developments, including recent remarks from U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and diplomatic outreach by Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Pakistan’s military leadership, signaling growing global concern. Drawing on India’s global stature, Mufti argued that the country must rely not on inconsistent international alliances but on its own principles of peace and democratic strength.
“India must show that its true power lies not in its nuclear arsenal but in its commitment to peace and dialogue,” she said.
Highlighting the human cost of the conflict, Mufti spoke emotionally about recent tragedies, including the death of Raj Kumar Thappa, Additional Deputy Commissioner in Rajouri, due to cross-border shelling. She described a growing climate of fear in the Kashmir Valley, marked by arbitrary detentions and harsh crackdowns following the April 22 attack.
“Retaliation only perpetuates the cycle of violence,” she warned. “True leadership is shown by those who break this cycle.”
Calling for immediate diplomatic engagement, Mufti urged the Indian government to take the first step toward peace and encouraged Pakistan to demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing terrorism.
She reaffirmed the JKPDP’s long-standing commitment to “peace with dignity” and reiterated her vision of Jammu and Kashmir as a bridge between India and Pakistan not a battleground.
“Let this be a turning point. Not toward more conflict, but toward a future where our children can live without the shadow of war.” She added.
