Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday expressed deep sorrow over the tragic crash of an Air India flight in Ahmedabad, terming it an “unimaginable tragedy” and called for a thorough investigation into the cause of the incident.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, the Chief Minister said, “It’s an extremely unfortunate event. Within just a minute of takeoff, all lives were lost except for one survivor. Our heartfelt prayers are with the families of the passengers and crew members.”
He noted the gravity of the incident, raising concern that people on the ground—possibly doctors or students from a nearby medical college—may also have been affected. “This is all the more shocking given that the aircraft, a Boeing Dreamliner, had never previously been involved in such a major accident,” he added.
Calling for transparency, Omar urged the authorities to swiftly uncover the reasons behind the crash to help prevent such disasters in the future.
In a separate but strongly worded statement, the Chief Minister also criticised the international community’s muted response to Israel’s recent military strike on Iran.
“This attack will not only drive up fuel prices and disrupt global markets but also stir public sentiment around the world,” he said.
He questioned the legitimacy of Israel’s action, saying, “As far as I’m aware, Iran had not provoked Israel. Yet, Israel labeled this a ‘pre-emptive strike’ and launched an assault on a sovereign nation.”
Drawing a comparison to the Ukraine crisis, Omar added, “The world was quick to condemn Russia’s actions in Ukraine. But now, when Israel carries out a similar offensive, the same global powers — including the US and Europe — choose silence. If attacking a sovereign nation is wrong in one case, how can it be acceptable in another?”
He concluded by urging international leaders to uphold consistency in condemning acts of aggression, regardless of the nations involved.(DD)