India, June 16 -- People's Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday urged Kashmiris to use the upcoming Amarnath Yatra as a means to strengthen connections with people across the country, saying the annual pilgrimage could help reduce misunderstandings and promote mutual trust.

Addressing party workers and local stakeholders in Pahalgam, one of the main base camps for the yatra, Mehbooba said Jammu and Kashmir was going through a challenging phase and emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust between Kashmir and the rest of India.

"It is not possible for Kashmiris to come out of this unless and until their hearts meet with the rest of the country," she said.

The former chief minister said she had written to Chief ...