Srinagar, June 24 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that the terrorists involved in the recent Pahalgam attack were not locals but foreigners.

“There was no local involvement in the Pahalgam incident. The people who shot and killed those 26 persons were all outsiders,” Omar said while speaking to reporters at Gulmarg.

He added that the ongoing investigation is being handled by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), which has already made two arrests in the case.

Responding to questions about the nature of their involvement, the Chief Minister said that those arrested had allegedly assisted the terrorists, but under duress.

“They helped these people and perhaps, NIA also said that they were forced to help them. They gave them food, but they were forced to help them. Let the investigation continue," he added.

Speaking on the Israel-Iran tensions, Omar Abdullah welcomed the ceasefire between Iran and Israel, which was announced after 11 days of cross-border escalation.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

“It is a relief that a ceasefire has come into effect. These 11 days have caused massive destruction,” he said, urging all global powers to work toward peace.

The Chief Minister said that J&K was also impacted indirectly, especially due to airspace closures and flight delays, which disrupted the evacuation of Kashmiri students studying in conflict-affected regions.

“A major issue for us was the safe return of our children. Due to closed air routes, many evacuation flights faced delays. But today, we are hopeful that a significant number of students will return, and the process will soon be completed,” he said.

Omar said that the economic and humanitarian consequences of a prolonged conflict would be severe and called on the international community to prioritize de-escalation.

“If this situation escalates further, the global economy will be deeply affected. Every country will feel the consequences. I hope better sense prevails,” he added.(KNS)