Jammu and Kashmir's ruling National Conference party on Friday said it had never opted for state's accession with either India or Pakistan and asked Islamabad to apologise for claiming Kashmir on communal ground.

"NC under the dynamic leadership of Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah had never opted for State's accession with either of the two countries prior to and during 1947-48 political developments in the sub-continent," Senior party leader and MLA Sheikh Mustafa Kamaal said in a statement.

"Pakistan shall have to tender an apology to the people of Kashmir for the folly of claiming Kashmir on communal lines, for the 1947 tribal invasion on Kashmir and for not giving recognition to the pro-independence paradigm of National Conference leadership," he said.

Kamaal, uncle of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, quoted his father Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah from his interview given to London Observer in 1948.

In response to the establishment of UN Commission for India and Pakistan to play a role of mediator on Kashmir issue, Abdullah had said "the only viable option would be for J and K to have a neutral status vis-a-vis both India and Pakistan".

Kamaal said that NC while advocating for restoration of autonomous status to the state within Indian constitution has always said that any better solution acceptable to the people of Jammu and Kashmir shall be a welcome step.