Amid heightening tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, the United States has called for talks between the two countries aimed at promoting regional safety and security. “The Indian forces have also been targetting the hospitals and ambulances providing health care to the peaceful, defenceless and innocent protesters”, the statement read. Indian Kashmir has spiralled into unrest with nearly daily anti-India protests and clashes since the killing on July 8 of popular young rebel leader Burhan Wani in a gunfight with soldiers.
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Needling India yet again, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today said he was “obliged” to become the voice of the “oppressed” people of Kashmir and would “leave no stone unturned” to make the world understand the “plight” of the people in the Valley. Shops and schools were closed because of the security crackdown and a separatist-sponsored protest strike.
In Modi’s speech in central India, he reached out to Kashmiris to maintain peace there but he did not invite separatist leaders for talks, as suggested by his party’s ally, the People’s Democratic Party, in the coalition that governs the Himalayan region.
Hizbul Mujahideen chief Syed Salahudin on Monday warned that a nuclear war could break out between India and Pakistan as a result of the ongoing Jammu and Kashmir dispute. Pakistan denies the charge, saying it only provides moral and political support to Kashmiris.
India accuses Pakistan of arming and training Kashmiri rebels who have been fighting for independence or for a merger with Pakistan since 1989.
He then spoke further on the issue and urged the government not to distinguish between “Kashmir the people” and “Kashmir the land”.
The Samajwadi Party leader said that the common people of Pakistan do not want bad relations with India as a lot of them have relatives in India.
Three Border Security Forces jawans, including an officer, and a Pakistani terrorist were killed on the Line of Control in North Kashmir’s Kupwara sector.
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Sources said the PM was surprised after learning that the UN’s mission in Pakistan did not issue a single statement in condemnation of violence.
