Kashmir unrest: India asks Pakistan to stop interfering in 'internal affairs'

Published July 11, 2016
Kashmiri protesters shout pro freedom slogans as they clash with Indian policemen in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Monday.─ AP
Kashmiri protesters shout pro freedom slogans as they clash with Indian policemen in Srinagar, India-held Kashmir, Monday.─ AP

NEW DELHI: Terming it as an interference in India's internal affairs, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday said Pakistan should refrain from issuing statements on the recent unrest in India-held Kashmir

"We have seen statements from Pakistan on the situation in Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir. They reflect Pakistan's continued attachment to terrorism & its usage as an instrument of state policy," reads the statement posted on Indian MEA spokesman Vikas Swarup's Twitter profile.

The statement also asks Pakistan to stop interfering in the "internal affairs of its neighbours".

Similar statements were issued by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and other ministers and politicians.

Pakistan summons Indian envoy

Foreign Office has summoned the Indian High Commissioner, Gautam Bambawale, to conveyed its concerns over the killing of Kashmiri separatist leader Burhan Wani and other civilians in Kashmir, reported Radio Pakistan

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry registered protest with the Indian envoy and observed that the use of excessive force against innocent civilians, protesting over extrajudicial killings, in the valley is deplorable and a blatant violation of fundamental human rights.

Chaudhry added civilian casualties and killings by the Indian forces is not acceptable under any circumstances and demanded a fair and transparent inquiry against individuals responsible for these killings.

It was emphasized that oppressive measures cannot deter the valiant people of the Jammu and Kashmir from their demand of exercising their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.

Also Read: Kashmir's ground reality still against India: Sartaj Aziz

Pakistan on Sunday condemned what it termed the 'extra-judicial' killing of separatist commander Burhan Wani by government forces in India-held Kashmir (IHK) as the death toll from clashes between Indian troops and protesters in the region rose to 30.

Foreign Office (FO) also expressed Pakistan's concerns over the detention of Kashmiri leadership in IHK and called upon the Indian government to fulfill its human rights obligations as well as its commitments under United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

Indian authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in most parts of IHK after Wani was killed, but massive protests continued despite attempts to suppress violence.

Paramilitary troops and police in riot gear patrolled villages and towns in the region. Most shops were shuttered, businesses were closed and cellphone services were suspended.

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