Pak comment reflects its continued attachment to terror: India

India also asked Pakistan to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbours. “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,” said External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup.

He added: “Pakistan is advised to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbours.” 

India’s reaction came after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been under attack from the opposition for remaining “silent” over the killing of protesters in Kashmir, issued a statement, expressing “shock” at Wani’s killing.

 “The Prime Minister of Pakistan has expressed his deep shock over 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.

Sharif said it was “deplorable that excessive and unlawful force was used against the civilians” who were protesting against the killing of Wani.

“Oppressive measures such as these cannot deter the valiant people of J&K from their demand of exercising their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions,” he added.

On Sunday, the Pakistan Foreign Office had issued a statement, condemning continued “killing of innocent Kashmiris”.

“The extra-judicial killing of Kashmiri leader Wani and scores of other innocent Kashmiris is deplorable and condemnable. Such acts are a violation of fundamental human rights of Kashmiris and cannot deter the people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand for the realisation of the right to self determination,” it had said.

Wani, who was killed in an encounter with the security forces last week, was the commander of militant group Hizbul Mujahideen.