Reacting sharply to Pakistan's strong comments on Kashmir situation in the wake of killing of militant Burhan Wani, India said it reflect its continued "attachment to terrorism".
Reacting sharply to Pakistan's strong comments on Kashmir situation in the wake of killing of militant Burhan Wani, India said it reflect its continued "attachment to terrorism and its usage as an instrument of State policy." India also asked Pakistan to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbours. "We have seen statements from Pakistan on the situation in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. They reflect Pakistan's continued attachment to terrorism and its usage as an instrument of State policy. "Pakistan is advised to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbours," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
India's reaction came after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been under attack from the opposition for remaining "silent" over the killing of protesters in Kashmir, issued a statement expressing "shock" at Wani's killing. "The Prime Minister of Pakistan has expressed his deep shock at the killing of Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani and many other civilians by the Indian military and paramilitary forces," Sharif's office said in the statement.
Sharif said it was "deplorable that excessive and unlawful force was used against the civilians" who were protesting against the killing of Wani.
"Oppressive measures such as these cannot deter the valiant people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand of exercising their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions," he added. Yesterday, Pakistan Foreign Office had issued a statement condemning continued "killing of innocent Kashmiris". "The extra-judicial killing of Kashmiri leader Wani and scores of other innocent Kashmiris is deplorable and condemnable. Such acts are a violation of fundamental human rights of Kashmiris and cannot deter the people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand for the realisation of the right to self determination," it had said. Wani, who was killed in an encounter with the security forces last week, was the commander of Kashmiri militant group Hizbul Mujahideen.
PM Sharif and Hafiz Saeed condemn Burhan Wani's death
Wading into the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed have attacked the killing of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani and made some strong comments against the action of the security forces in the valley.
Exploiting the violence that has led to 23 deaths in the wake of killing of the poster boy of militancy on Friday, Sharif, who returned from London after an open heart surgery, expressed "deep shock" over the killing of Wani and civilians by the forces. Deploring the "excessive" force, Sharif said, "Oppressive measures such as these cannot deter the valiant people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand of exercising their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions." Joining forces against India, Saeed welcomed the statements of Pakistan's foreign ministry and the Prime Minister and said the Pakistan government should raise the issue at the international level at a juncture when the "movement"has gained momentum.
Saeed, who plans to hold funeral prayers in absentia for Wani and others on Friday in Lahore, said issues in Kashmir should be resolved as per the wish of Kashmiri people. "I urge Pakistan government to avail this opportunity and announce its open support for those who seek freedom," Saeed, the Jamaat-ud Dawah chief, said in a recorded message. In another statement, Saeed said killing of the Kashmiris and firing at their funeral is the "worst form of terrorism".
"Kashmiris cannot be made slaves through use of force any more. We will continue to support the Kashmiris," he said.
Saeed, the founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba who carries a bounty of USD 10 million, lamented that the international community was not condemning the killings in Kashmir.
To a question whether Kashmiri leader Syed Salahuddin would also join Saeed in the funeral prayers, a JuD leader said, "It is not confirmed as yet".
Expressing concern over the detention of Kashmiri separatist leaders, Sharif said India should fulfil its human rights obligations as well as its commitments under the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
Pakistan People's Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has alleged that "Sharif-Modi friendship" was causing "irreparable damage" to the Kashmir issue.
"While Muslims celebrated Eid-ul Fitr across the world, our Kashmiri brethren marked the day of festivities amid violence carried out by the Indian army," Bilawal said in a statement yesterday.
He accused Sharif of damaging the foreign policy by giving his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi a "certificate of friendship".
"Sharif is jeopardising the Kashmir issue by building his association with the Indian prime minister," he said.
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