Kashmir violence: Pakistan condemns attack on Indian forces

Says such acts should not derail peace efforts.

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Friday condemned the militant attack on Indian forces in Kashmir, but stressed that such acts of violence should not deter the two neighbours from pursuing the path of peace.

“We have noted with deep concern, media reports on the unfortunate incident in Jammu on 26 September, 2013 resulting in the loss of life of more than a dozen security personnel,” said Foreign Office spokesperson Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry.

The statement by the foreign ministry came a day after three militants stormed a police camp and an army base in Indian-administered Kashmir, killing 13 people.

“Pakistan, itself a foremost victim of this menace, condemns all forms of terrorism,” said the statement, issued ahead of the much-awaited meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh.

The Indian prime minister said he would go ahead with the meeting in New York despite the Kashmir attack.

The foreign ministry spokesperson said the timing of the attack suggested it was aimed at derailing efforts seeking the normalisation of ties between Pakistan and India.

“It is imperative that any such act of violence should not be allowed to deter us from pursuing a path to a better future for our peoples,” he said.

Chaudhry added that Pakistan remains committed to eliminating the spectre of terrorist violence from the region and had on numerous occasions offered to cooperate with India in fighting the menace through laid down bilateral mechanisms.

“Pakistan remains ready to discuss all outstanding disputes in a meaningful manner,” he said.

A foreign ministry official speaking on condition of anonymity told The Express Tribune that the statement was issued on the instruction of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bid to convey a message to the Indian leadership that Pakistan did not want to achieve their objectives through violent means.

Pakistan has rarely condemned such attacks in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir in the past since it considered that Kashmiris were fighting for their right to self-determination.

But since the election of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz government, Islamabad appears to be showing a more conciliatory approach towards New Delhi, despite the recent flare-up in tensions along the Line of Control.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 28^th, 2013.