'Indian panic' before Modi's IoK visit evident from repressive measures: FO

Rise in so-called cordon and search operations have contributed to death of civilians in occupied Kashmir

The government on Saturday hit out at New Delhi saying the Indian regime's "panic" is for all to see in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's scheduled visit on February 3.

Speaking out on Twitter, Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal said Indian troops are continuing with repressive measures such as the arrest of Hurriyat leadership and a rise in so-called cordon and search operations that have contributed to death of civilians.

Indian panic in IOK, in PM Modi’s visit is evident by intensified repressive measures, including arrests/House arrests of Hurriyat leadership, increased so called cordon and search operations & continuing killings of Kashmiris 1/2 #kashmirbleeds

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) February 2, 2019

He said such steps only expose the falsity of Indian claims and will not quell their struggle for self-determination.

Such steps only expose the falsity of Indian claims and shall not subjugate the Kashmiri struggle for self determination 2/2 #righttoselfdetermination #kashmirbleeds

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) February 2, 2019

His statement comes after 18 Kashmiris were martyred by Indian occupation troops during the month of January alone with as many as 126 people injured.

Around 93 civilians were also arrested which included Hurriyat leaders and activists.

From 1989 to date, a total of 95,283 Kashmiris have lost their lives, 145,597 civilians have been arrested, with 22,898 women widowed.

Furthermore, 107,756 children orphaned, 11,111 women either gang-raped or molested and a whopping 109,205 structures destroyed.