Pakistan conveys ‘serious concerns’ over Kashmir killings to Indian high commissioner

New Delhi advises Islamabad to 'refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbours'

Pakistan has raised serious concerns over continued killings in the Indian occupied Kashmir.

“The foreign secretary called in the Indian High Commissioner this evening and conveyed Pakistan’s serious concerns over the recent killings of Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani and many other civilians in Indian occupied Kashmir by the Indian military and paramilitary forces,” a statement issued by the Foreign Office on Monday read.

At least 30 people died in the violence, most of them protesters killed by gunshot wounds as government forces fired live ammunition and tear gas to try to enforce a curfew imposed across the valley.



Demonstrations in the Indian-held valley follow the killing on Friday of Burhan Wani, a 22-year-old commander of Kashmir’s largest militant group Hizbul Mujahideen (HM), during a gun battle with government forces.

Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry also deplored the extrajudicial killings of innocent Kashmiris.

“The use of excessive force against innocent civilians protesting peacefully over extrajudicial killings, is deplorable and blatant violation of the right to life, right to freedom of expression and opinion, right to peaceful protest, right to peaceful assembly and other fundamental rights,” the communiqué quoted Chaudhry as saying.



He highlighted such brutal use of force were not acceptable under any circumstances.

Aizaz also called for a fair and transparent inquiry against individuals responsible for the killings.

“It was emphasised 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,” the statement said.

‘Pakistan’s statements on Kashmir reflection of its attachment to terror’

Meanwhile, India has termed Pakistan’s statements on Kashmir violence as reflection of the latter’s attachment to terrorism.

Our response to Statements by Pakistan on Jammu & Kashmir: pic.twitter.com/3pjjonaQxu

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) July 11, 2016

“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,” Indian MEA said in a statement.