Pakistan condemns arrest of over 1,400 Kashmiris in IoK

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has strongly condemned the arrest of over 1400 Kashmiris on false charges in one of the biggest ever crackdowns in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K).

The Foreign Office said these arbitrary arrests and detentions by Indian Occupation Forces are prime example of India’s state-terrorism and trampling of fundamental human rights in IIOJ&K. The recent surge in extra-judicial killings, staged cordon-and-search operations and arbitrary arrests in IIOJ&K are a source of serious alarm for the international community.

Last month, Pakistan unveiled a comprehensive dossier comprising irrefutable evidence of gross and systematic human rights violations, war crimes and false flag operations in IIOJK being carried out by Indian Occupation forces with impunity.

“India must recognise that no amount of brutalization of Kashmiris can suppress their voice and the legitimate movement to achieve their inalienable right to self-determination,” said the Foreign Office. It said that India’s illegal and unlawful actions will not be able to mislead the world into accepting India’s false narrative against the Kashmiris.

READ MORE: FM Qureshi reiterates Pakistan’s unflinching support to Kashmiris

Civilian killings

Tensions have been stoked again in recent weeks in India-occupied Kashmir with a spate of shootings of civilians, including two teachers last week. Seven civilians were shot dead in six days last week sparking public outrage in occupied Kashmir and across the country.

Nearly 500 residents suspected to have links with banned religious and other groups were detained across the occupied territory following the shootings.

India authorities say at least 29 civilians, including workers from political parties, have been shot dead so far this year. The two teachers, shot by gunmen at a government-run school, were from the Sikh and Hindu communities.

A relatively new group, The Resistance Front, has claimed responsibility and accused those killed of working for “occupier mercenary forces and occupier stooges”.