Surgical strikes: Pity to see parties using soldiers' blood to win polls, says Farooq Abdullah

Poonch (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], Oct. 20 (ANI): Reprimanding political parties for using surgical strikes carried out by the Indian Army across the Line of Control for political gains, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah on Thursday said the "act amounts to mocking the scarifies of soldiers". He said political parties should win elections by speaking truth and should not use the recent surgical strikes for petty political gains. "I believe that army's duty is to protect nation. They forget their family and get ready to sacrifies themselves for the nation. However, it is pity to see some people selling their blood to win elections, which is wrong. By doing so, they are mocking the lives of soldiers. This is not good for India. If you want to win elections, win it by speaking truth and not on things which are out of your hold," Abdullah told ANI. The comments came after Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar gave credit to the RSS teachings for the strikes targeting terror launch pads in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Responding to the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Farooq said, "The situation is very grim right now. Poor people at both sides of the border are suffering. I would like to appeal to both nations that enough is enough; more bloods have been sacrificed from our end and at Pakistan's end. Loss was reordered at both sides. For God's sake stop shelling." He urged Pakistan to approach India with helping hands and stop shelling near the border. Earlier today, Pakistan forces fired around 25 rounds of small weapons and two small mortars in Hiranagar sector. The Indian troops retaliated to the ceasefire violations. There has been no report of any casualty or damage yet. (ANI)