Tue Apr 29 06:11:10 UTC 2025: ## Former RAW Chief Urges Dialogue and Statehood Restoration in Kashmir Following Terror Attack
**Bengaluru, April 29, 2025** – Amarjit Singh Dulat, former chief of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), has cautioned against a military response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir. Speaking to *The Hindu* in Bengaluru, Dulat emphasized that war is not an option and that building deterrence requires prioritizing the well-being and cooperation of the Kashmiri people.
Dulat expressed concern over certain actions taken by the Union government in the aftermath of the attack, stating that the demolition of houses could alienate the local population. He highlighted the current unity among Kashmiri leaders in supporting the central government, describing it as a “rare opportunity” that shouldn’t be squandered. He urged the government to avoid actions that could harm the Kashmiri population.
He advocated for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir as a confidence-building measure, arguing that it would lend credibility to the elected government and improve the sense of local ownership. Dulat noted that a period of peace in the valley followed the recent assembly elections, in which the National Conference won, but the current “half government” situation needs to be addressed.
Dulat refuted the narrative that increased tourism in Kashmir indicates a return to normalcy, pointing to continued attacks in areas like Poonch, Rajouri, and Jammu as evidence that terrorism persists. He asserted that while violence has decreased at times, it is prone to resurfacing, highlighting the need for a more comprehensive approach that includes the local population.
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