Ahead of meet on Kashmir, Govt builds case against Pakistan

Building up its case that the present violence in the Valley was fomented by Pakistan, New Delhi on Thursday said it has no “locus standi” in the matter and its attempt to internationalise the issue will not “whitewash” cross-border terrorism supported by it.

It also asserted that the recent arrest of LeT terrorist Bahadur Ali is yet another proof of Pakistan’ s continued involvement in cross-border terrorism and infiltration into India, despite several assurances that it will not allow its territory to be used for terrorism against any other country.

Earlier, replying to a written question in Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar said India has also emphasised to its international interlocutors that Indian security forces exercised extraordinary restraint, as is evident in injury to over 3780 security personnel in mob attacks during the continuing violent protests in Jammu and Kashmir. 

The Opposition too has demanded restraint while controlling violence in the Valley.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is still to speak on the matter in the ongoing session of Parliament, and roundly criticised by the Opposition for the same, will attend the meet on Friday. 

An assurance in this regard was given by Home Minister Rajnath Singh during the debate on the issue in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday. The Prime Minister, however, during a public rally in Madhya Pradesh had expressed regret at the fact that the youth of Kashmir, instead of holding laptops in their hands where holding stones to pelt it at the security forces. 

The government has invited moderates and mainstream parties to participate in the meeting.