Kashmir struggle legitimate: COAS

Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir has said that India's portrayal of the Kashmiri freedom movement as terrorism is misleading, describing it instead as a legitimate and lawful struggle recognised under international law.

"What India labels as terrorism is, in fact, a legitimate and lawful struggle for freedom, recognised by international law," said Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Speaking at a commissioning parade held at the Pakistan Naval Academy on Saturday, the army chief urged the nation to remember the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people resisting India's "illegal occupation" of Jammu and Kashmir.

"At such a time, we must not forget the sacrifices of our Kashmiri brothers who are struggling against Indian occupation," he said.

He accused India of deliberately escalating regional tensions just as Pakistan nears success in its fight against terrorism. Munir reaffirmed Pakistan's resolve to eliminate terrorism.

"We will take our fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion and rid the country of this menace once and for all," he declared.

Reiterating Pakistan's longstanding stance on Kashmir, the army chief said, "Pakistan strongly supports a fair and peaceful solution to the Kashmir issue in line with UN resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people."

He paid tribute to all martyrs who have laid down their lives in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir for the cause of freedom, and saluted the courage of those who continue the struggle.

The COAS asserted that India's oppressive tactics cannot break the will of the Kashmiri people. Pakistan will continue to offer unwavering political, moral, and diplomatic support to Kashmiris.

Quoting from Surah Al-Imran, verse 54 "They plotted, and Allah also planned, and Allah is the best of planners".