Srinagar, Nov. 28 -- Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said incidents like the Pahalgam attack and the recent Delhi blast would not recur if statehood is restored, arguing that security responsibility must return to an elected government. Speaking after the conclusion of the National Conference's two day Working Committee meeting, Omar said the region's past security record under an elected dispensation showed that such attacks did not take place.

"Did attacks like those in Pahalgam or Delhi happen while we were responsible for security? I was the chief minister for six years. Did an attack like the one in Pahalgam take place? Or one like in Delhi? Hand over the responsibility to us, and then see what happens," he said, adding that ...