Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir [Images] Farooq Abdullah virtually thanked the militant organisations and Pakistan on Sunday for the peaceful assembly elections, which saw an impressive voter turnout in the state.

J&K polls a 'lesson to be learnt by neighbours'

"Here I would like to say very frankly, we owe a lot to the militant organisations who did not use the gun because in case they had used the gun, we would have been in trouble. I think Pakistan did put pressure on them that they should not do anything to affect the elections," he told media persons in New Delhi [Images].

Coverage: J&K Assembly Elections

He said that every one should join hands and try to get the separatists on table to come to 'some sort of agreement'.

Abdullah said if the separatists were not brought to the discussion, peace will not come.

"We need development, peace and tourism," he said.