NEW DELHI, July 21:
India today lashed out at Pakistan for “inciting and supporting” terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and instead asked it to vacate its illegal occupation of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK).
In a sharp reaction over anti-India rallies being held in Pakistan and other statements emanating from there over the situation in Kashmir, External Affairs Ministry said India strongly condemns encouragement and support to UN-designated terrorists and their activities from Pakistan.
Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup also said that in view of the threats of marches and protests at the High Commission of India in Islamabad, Pakistan should ensure full safety and security of Indian officials and their families there.
“We have seen reports about rallies, events and statements related to J&K in Pakistan and PoK over the last two days. We have also noted that the events were led by UN- designated terrorists, who had in the past protested the elimination of dreaded terrorists including Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Akhtar Mansour in Pakistan.
“India strongly condemns the encouragement and support which such terrorists and their activities receive from Pakistan’s State.
“We once again ask Pakistan to stop inciting and supporting violence and terrorism in any part of our country and refrain from its deplorable meddling in our internal affairs in any manner,” the Spokesperson said.
Asserting that the observance of ‘Kashmir’s Accession to Pakistan Day’ exposes Pakistan’s longing for the territory of J&K, Swarup said,”India demands that Pakistan must fulfil the obligation to vacate its illegal occupation of PoK.”
India also asked Pakistan to stop “misleading the international community and Kashmiris through meaningless exercises such as the so-called elections today in PoK which Pakistan ironically calls ‘Azad’ (free). (PTI)
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