India on Thursday attacked Pakistan for a series of statements on Kashmir, and its decision to mark a “Black Day” over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and the subsequent violence in Jammu and Kashmir.
“We once again ask Pakistan to stop inciting and supporting violence and terrorism in any part of our country and refrain from its deplorable meddling in our internal affairs in any manner,” MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
PoK electionsThe MEA also rejected elections held on Thursday in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, calling them a “meaningless exercise” meant to mislead the international community. “India demands that Pakistan must fulfil the obligation to vacate its illegal occupation of PoK,” Mr. Swarup added.
The statement issued by the government comes after a series of measures taken by the Pakistan government over the past two weeks in an effort to “internationalise” the Kashmir issue.
Since July 8, when J&K security forces killed Burhan Wani and two others, Pakistan has issued at least 10 statements, increasing the pitch in each one.
The Nawaz Sharif government, which has held several special meetings to discuss the situation in Kashmir, has also sent representations to the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and other international groups.
In addition, the Pakistan government put out a federal note commanding all provincial and central government offices to mark a “Black Day” on July 20 “to protest grave violations of human rights” in Kashmir.
Among the “instructions” were: all officials to wear black arm bands, to hold special prayers, and for Pakistani nationals living abroad to lodge strong protests outside national parliaments and U.N. offices around the world.
Sartaz’s statementOn Thursday, Pakistan’s foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz issued another statement, accusing security forces in Kashmir of “unleashing a reign of terror on the civilians to deter them from protesting,” where he cited statements of concern issued by the U.S., China, and international human rights groups.
What has also upset New Delhi is that street protests have been mobilised by LeT chief and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed as well as other terror group leaders, who are taking a “caravan” march from Lahore to PoK.
MEA’s concern“We have also noted that the events were led by U.N.-designated terrorists, who had in the past protested the elimination of dreaded terrorists including Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Akhtar Mansour in Pakistan. India strongly condemns the encouragement and support which such terrorists and their activities receive from Pakistan’s state,” the Ministry of External Affairs said, also expressing concern for the safety of Indian High Commission staffers in Islamabad, amid the protests being organised there.
