After Rajnath's PoK Comment, Farooq Abdullah Says Pakistan Not Wearing Bangles

New Delhi: Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday stated that India will not have to use any force to take Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), adding that people there would want to merge with India. 

In an interview with PTI, Rajnath Singh said the way peace and development are back in Jammu and Kashmir. "We will not have to use force to take PoK as people would say that we must be merged with India. Such demands are now coming," he said.

Singh said PoK was, is and will remain India's territory. He also claimed there will be elections in Jammu and Kashmir soon. However, he didn't give a timeline.

The union minister also said that soon, AFSPA won't be required in Jammu and Kashmir.

He also asked Pakistan to stop promoting cross-border terrorism.

Responding to the Defence Minister's remarks, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah said Pakistan isn't “wearing bangles” and they had atomic bombs which would drop on India.

Abdullah further challenged Rajnath Singh to take back Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

"If the defence minister is saying it then go ahead. Who are we to stop? But remember, they (Pakistan) are also not wearing bangles. It has atom bombs, and unfortunately, that atom bomb will fall on us," the National Conference leader said.

Farooq Abdullah forecasted that the Jammu and Kashmir assembly polls will be declared after the Amarnath Yatra.

Reacting to yesterday's attack on security forces in Kashmir, Farooq Abdullah took a dig at the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, saying terrorism continued despite the withdrawal of Article 370.

"The main problem is the tension between India and Pakistan. Both countries should talk to each other and sort out the issues," he said. 

(With inputs from PTI, and ANI)