India, April 28 -- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Omar Abdullah on Monday made an emotional speech in the Legislative Assembly when he said he would not use the Pahalgam terror attack incident as an opportunity to press the Centre to grant statehood to the Union Territory.

"Though Kashmir's security is not under us, I will not use this opportunity (Pahalgam attack) to demand statehood now," he said.

"This is not the time, as with what face can I demand it after the death of 26 people in Pahalgam," he said.

Abdullah said people should only grieve the death of 26 people in the terror attack that occurred in the Union territory last week.

"All we need to do now is condemn the attack in the strongest terms and show our heartfelt condolences for ...