Now, Omar advocates for Indo-Pak dialogue

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday expressed concern over the increased ceasefire violations by Pakistan but said they should not be allowed to hijack the Indo-Pak dialogue process.

"Ceasefire violations are a matter of concern. But these should not be allowed to hijack the Indo-Pak dialogue process," Omar told mediapersons in Jammu after the conclusion of the 9th state level departmental vigilance officers' conference on Thursday.

Strongly advocating the resumption of dialogue between India and Pakistan, he said, dialogue is the only way to solve the problem, which remains unresolved despite three wars between the two countries and 20 years of violence and turmoil in the state.

"Every problem can be solved and settled on the table through dialogue and not through violent methods, that's why I am in favour of talks," the chief minister said.

Noting that even talks may initially fail to solve the issue, he said, "Initially talks might also fail but we should not be disheartened and should carry on the dialogue. Talks are the only way to solve the issue. I do not think guns can gets us to a solution."

Pointing out that there are forces in Pakistan, who are against friendship with India, he said people of both the countries, however, wanted to have good relations with each other. He once again asked the separatists to come to the negotiating table to sort out all their grievances.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said that India and Pakistan cannot afford a war, and that composite dialogue is the only way forward.