India, May 9 -- Amid escalating border tensions, Hurriyat Conference chairman and Kashmir's chief cleric Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday urged India and Pakistan to urgently de-escalate and not tread the dangerous path, which can only lead to more destruction.

In a post on X, Mirwaiz, who was not allowed to go to Jamia Masjid on Friday, said every soul was praying for peace.

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"As the threat of war intensifies and the loss of precious lives continues, deep sorrow and anxiety grip our hearts. Unfortunately, whenever tensions rise between India and Pakistan, the brunt which follows is primarily borne by the people of Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

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