Pakistan condemns ‘fake encounter’ of Kashmiris

Says India engaged in extra-judicial killings of innocent Kashmiris in so-called cordon-and-search ops

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday condemned what it called “a fake encounter" in which a senior commander of Kashmir’s indigenous resistance movement – Hizbul Mujahideen – was killed by the Indian occupation forces in held Kashmir (IOJ&K).

According to an Indian official, occupation troops launched an operation late on Tuesday after receiving intelligence that Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo was hiding in a village in Pulwama district. They claimed they later killed Naikoo along with three others in a gunbattle.

The killing of Naikoo, the former math teacher, triggered widespread protest, forcing Indian authorities to completely shut down the internet and other communication services.

Without explicitly mentioning the killing of Naikoo, the Foreign Office spokesperson on Thursday expressed grave concerns over the "brutal military crackdown by Indian occupation forces."

"It is a matter of grave concern that the situation in Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K) continues to deteriorate due to the brutal military crackdown by Indian occupied forces," Aisha Farooqui told reporters at the weekly news briefing through a video link.

She said Pakistan strongly condemned the ongoing state-terrorism and extra judicial killings of innocent Kashmiris in so-called “cordon-and-search” operations in IOJ&K.

"Despite the surge in COVID-19 cases in the IOJ&K, Indian occupation forces continue their relentless campaign of oppression and brutalization of the Kashmiri people. Innocent Kashmiris are being martyred in fake encounters and phony cordon-and-search operations," the spokesperson said.

"In an inhuman practice, even the mortal remains of those martyred are not being handed over to the families. Thousands of Kashmiri men, women and children are taking to the streets to protest against Indian brutalities and to let the world community know that they reject illegal Indian occupation.

"There are reports of Indian security forces firing pellet guns and live bullets on peaceful protesters, killing at least one innocent Kashmiri and wounding scores of others. These Indian actions are highly condemnable," the spokesperson added.

Aisha said India must realize that it cannot break the will of the Kashmir people and suppress their indigenous resistance movement through the use of force.  The intensified resistance in IOJ&K, she said, is a direct consequence of Indian campaign of oppression and brutalization of Kashmiris.

“We also categorically reject, once again, the baseless Indian allegations of ‘Infiltration’, which are designed to divert attention from India’s grave human rights violations in IOJ&K and to create a pretext for “false flag” operation," Aisha added.

While sensitizing the international community about such a possibility, Pakistan consistently urge India to refrain from any ill-considered and irresponsible move which could have serious implications for peace and security in the region.

"We once again call upon the international community to take notice of the situation and hold India accountable for its illegal actions, which are imperiling peace and stability in South Asia.

"We also urge the world community to work for ensuring the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions and the wishes of the Kashmiri people," she added.