Reacting to Defence Minister Rajnath Singhs comment that India will never give up claim on Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (PoK), National Conference (NC) Chief Farooq Abdullah on May 5 said,They (Pakistan) are also not wearing bangles and they also have a nuclear bomb. According to Singh, the situation has improved in the Valley since the abrogation of Article 370. What Rajnath Singh said In an interview with PTI, Rajnath Singh said that the way peace and development has returned to Jammu and Kashmir, there will soon be a demand to merge PoK with India. He said, We will not have to use force to take PoK because people will say that we will have to merge with India. Such demands are coming now. Rajnath Singh said that PoK was, is and will remain Indias territory.Abdullah challenged Rajnath SinghReacting to Rajnaths remarks, Farooq Abdullah challenged Rajnath Singh to take back Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Abdullah said that if the Defense Minister is saying so then go ahead. Who are we to stop But remember, they (Pakistan) are also not wearing bangles. He has nuclear bombs, and unfortunately, that nuclear bomb will fall on us.Indias relation with PakistanRelations between India and Pakistan became further strained after the Pulwama terror attack in February 2019 when India carried out air strikes on the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist training camp in Balakot, Pakistan.Tensions escalated further when India abrogated Article 370 on August 5, 2019, revoking the special powers of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating the state into two union territories. India has reiterated that it desires normal friendly relations with Pakistan, but emphasizes that Islamabad must create a terrorism-free and peaceful environment for such engagement.Jammu and Kashmir electionsAt the same time, Farooq Abdullah predicted that Jammu and Kashmir assembly elections will be announced after the Amarnath Yatra. He said, The main problem is the tension between India and Pakistan. Both the countries should talk to each other and resolve the issues. Rajnath Singh also claimed that elections will be held in Jammu and Kashmir soon. However, he did not give any timeline. The Union Minister also said that soon there will be no need for AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir. He also asked Pakistan to stop promoting cross-border terrorism.
