Farooq Abdullah Condemns Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Terror Attack, Calls for Indo‑Pak Dialogue

Jammu‑Kashmir’s National Conference chief, Farooq Abdullah, reacted with shock and sorrow to the suicide‑bomb explosion that ripped through a police compound in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on September 18. In his brief statement he called terrorism “the greatest challenge facing the world today,” a stark reminder that violence knows no borders.

The blast, which detonated at the gate of the Kohat Police Lines before a wave of attackers stormed the premises, left at least 21 people dead – including 15 police personnel – and wounded more than 80 others. According to local reports, a vehicle‑borne bomber set off the first explosion, after which several militants tried to breach the Counter‑Terrorism Department and Special Branch offices. Security forces eventually neutralised six of the assailants, but the carnage remains fresh in the minds of the region’s residents.

Abdullah, speaking on Saturday, expressed a quiet hope that the tragedy could become a catalyst for something better. “We hope a solution will be found and that India and Pakistan will reach a stage where they sit down for dialogue so that peace can once again return to both nations,” he said, urging the two neighbours to revive stalled talks.

The attack has been claimed by a faction led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, linked to the Tehreek‑i‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s chief minister, Sohail Afridi, condemned the targeting of civilians as “deeply regrettable and unacceptable” and ordered immediate medical care for the injured while demanding a detailed inquiry.

While the wounds are still raw on both sides of the border, Abdullah’s appeal underscores a broader sentiment among many leaders: that enduring security can only be achieved through conversation, not confrontation. As the region grapples with the fallout, the call for renewed Indo‑Pak dialogue rings louder than ever.