MUZAFFARABAD: Participants of a rally, held here on Sunday to condemn killings at the hands of Indian troops in Pulwama district of held Kashmir, called upon the government of Pakistan to raise the issue at the international level.

The rally was organised by Pasban-i-Hurriyat Jammu and Kashmir (PHJK), an organisation of post-1990 Kashmiri migrants led by Uzair Ahmed Ghazali.

A banner being carried by the protester read: “Killing of 12 unarmed Kashmiri youth and injuries to scores others in Pulwama is a big question mark on the role of United Nations.”

Participants stressed that Islamabad should move all forums to spotlight state sponsored terrorism in held Kashmir.

“India is mercilessly killing the Kashmiris to suppress their popular demand for freedom and this is happening because of the silence of international community,” said Mr Ghazali.

“It’s high time Pakistan launch a diplomatic offensive at the international level to rein in India,” he added.

Meanwhile, AJK President Sardar Masood Khan strongly condemned the abhorrent and ruthless killing of ­innocent people by Indian forces.

“India wants to frighten people of occupied Kashmir and weaken their freedom sentiments but it will never succeed in its evil designs. The latest wave of brutalities against the innocent people is nothing but state sponsored terrorism,” he said in a statement.

Terming the Pulwama massacre grave violation of human rights, he said gruesome act of terror had unveiled brutal face of India.

Published in Dawn, December 17th, 2018