End to terrorism lies in Kashmir solution: ex-CM

India and Pakistan must talk and solve the Kashmir issue to end terrorism in the region, former chief minister Farooq Abdullah said yesterday, after a meeting of opposition parties that rooted for talks with all, including separatists, to end the ongoing bloody unrest that has crippled normal life for over three months in the valley.Abdullah had called the meeting of state opposition parties to discuss the India-Pakistan stand-off, its impact on the already volatile situation in the Kashmir Valley and the situation on the tense border between the two countries.Abdullah, in his first public comments since the eruption of the unrest in early July that has left over 90 people dead, said all opposition political parties in Jammu and Kashmir yearned for peace in the state and between India and Pakistan.“Both countries must sit and have talks on Kashmir. That is the only solution to end terrorism. Otherwise, it will keep on escalating,” Abdullah told reporters after the meeting.“All of us are looking for the way forward and not looking back at what happened. If we live in peace with neighbours, we will all prosper. If we take the route of confrontation, their development might be hampered but ours will also be affected.”Asked if his comments would embolden militants in Kashmir, Abdullah said: “If we resolve this issue (Kashmir), there will be no terrorism. If the two nations resolve this issue, terrorism will die automatically.”The National Conference president said dialogue process was the only way forward to end the Kashmir problem. He urged the central and state governments to have a political dialogue, including with separatists, on finding a political solution to the political issue.“The prime minister (Narendra Modi) has said it needs to be resolved and it is even part of the agenda of the ruling party (PDP) to have a dialogue with all stakeholders, including the Hurriyat Conference.”Four paramilitary troopers injured in attackFour paramilitary troopers were injured when suspected militants attacked them on the outskirts of Srinagar city yesterday evening, officials said. Police said militants fired at a party of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) that was withdrawing after the day’s law and order duties in Zakura on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway. The militants were believed to have fled the spot. The attack took place outside the highly sensitive Zakura industrial area that houses many offices and factories of small and medium businesses in Kashmir. The business hub is located 12km north of the city centre of Lal Chowk. The SSB is camped in the industrial estate in Zakura. Additional security forces have been rushed to the spot.