Damage Assessment from Cross-Border Shelling Nearly Complete: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, May 23 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said the assessment of damages caused by cross-border shelling is nearing completion, and the state government will soon approach the Centre for a relief package for the affected families.

“The assessment is almost done. Reports from two districts are awaited. Once we receive them, we will take up the matter with the Government of India to prepare a relief package,” Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar.

He also thanked opposition leaders, including a delegation from the Trinamool Congress, for visiting the affected areas in Poonch and Rajouri following the recent escalation after Operation Sindoor — India’s response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

“Rahul Gandhi is visiting Poonch tomorrow to meet the victims. I am especially thankful to the Trinamool leaders, who were the first to visit Poonch and are currently in Rajouri. These visits reassure people that they are not alone in these difficult times,” he added.

Responding to BJP’s allegations linking recent National Conference resolutions to Pakistan’s ISI, Abdullah dismissed the claim, saying, “It’s okay. Let them say what they want.”

Chief minister declined to comment on the CBI chargesheet filed against former J&K governor Satyapal Malik and others over alleged corruption in awarding civil works worth ?2,200 crore for the Kiru hydropower project in Kishtwar.