Islamabad: Pakistan today summoned the Indian High Commissioner to express serious concerns over the recent killings Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Burhan Wani and many civilians in Kashmir and called for "fair and transparent" inquiry against individuals responsible for "blatant" violation of fundamental rights.
“The Foreign Secretary called in the Indian High Commissioner (Gautam Bambawale) this evening and conveyed Pakistan’s serious concerns over the recent killings of Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani and many other civilians in Kashmir by the Indian military and paramilitary forces,” a statement by Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.
“He observed that the use of excessive force against innocent civilians protesting peacefully over extrajudicial killings, is deplorable and a 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 statement said.
It added, “The Foreign Secretary deplored the firing by Indian security forces on peaceful protesters, resulting in killings of more than 30 innocent people and injuries of more than 300, around 50 critically. He highlighted that such brutal use of force is not acceptable under any circumstances.”
The Foreign Secretary called for fair and transparent inquiry against individuals responsible for these 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.
The Foreign Secretary reiterated Pakistan's call on the Indian government to fulfil its human rights obligations as well as its commitments under the United Nations Security Council Resolutions to resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, it said.
Earlier on Sunday, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also expressed ‘shock’ over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in an encounter in Kashmir and deplored "oppressive measures" and "excessive" force used against civilians in the latest wave of violence in the Valley.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been under attack from the opposition for remaining "silent" over the killing of protesters in Kashmir, came out with a late night statement condemning the action of Indian security forces.
"The Prime Minister of Pakistan has expressed his deep shock at the killing of Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani and many other civilians by the Indian military and paramilitary forces," Sharif's office said in the statement.
Reacting to the statement by Sharif, India today said it reflect Pakistan’s continued "attachment to terrorism and its usage as an instrument of State policy."
"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," External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said.
“Pakistan is advised to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbours," Swarup said.
Earlier in the day, the Home Ministry asserted that the developments in Jammu and Kashmir are matters internal to India and said Pakistan has no right to comment on India’s affairs and that it would be better off concentrating on its own problems.
Meanwhile, clashes between security forces and protesters continued on Monday. News agency IANS quoted sources to put the number of deaths across the Kashmir Valley at 31 but the police maintained that 23 people have died in the violence.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh reached out to political leaders, including Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, and discussed the Kashmir situation. He also spoke to former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The Kashmir Valley has been on an edge since Friday evening when senior militant commander Wani was killed by security forces. Wani, 22, a new face of Kashmir’s separatist war, was shot dead with two of his associates in a south Kashmir village.
Four police stations, 36 civil administration offices and dozens of vehicles have been destroyed by unruly mobs in clashes over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the government on Monday allowed the resumption of annual Amarnath pilgrimage which was suspended for three days.
"The convoy of the yatris is protected by the security forces who are escorting the pilgrims to the valley," a police official told IANS. But the pilgrimage will be allowed only through the north Kashmir route as the southern track to the Hindu cave shrine remains blocked due to simmering tension. The shrine is located in the troubled south Kashmir.
