India diverting attention from Kashmir: Pakistan on terror strike

“Pakistan has noted with serious concern the recent spate of vitriolic and unsubstantiated statements emanating from Indian civil and military leadership in the aftermath of Sunday’s attack in Uri,” Sartaj Aziz, the advisor to Pakistan Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs, said. He said Pakistan categorically rejects the baseless and irresponsible accusations being levelled by senior officials in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. 

“It is a blatant attempt on India’s part to deflect attention from the fast deteriorating humanitarian and human rights situation in Kashmir since the death of Hizbul commander Burhan Wani,” he added. 

He said that the situation in Kashmir is not of Pakistan’s making but a direct consequence of “illegal Indian occupation and a long history of atrocities that has resulted in countless deaths.” 

“Nobody has been spared the brute state force including the elderly, wounded patients in hospitals as well as women and children. This should awaken international conscience,” Aziz said. 

Reacting to Home Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement Pakistan is a “terrorist state” and should be isolated, Aziz said that it was deplorable that the Indian Minister chose to blame Pakistan for the incident even prior to conducting proper investigation. 

“The statement is part of a pattern to mislead world opinion and cover up India’s reign of terror in Kashmir, the statement said.

China on Monday voiced concern over the ‘escalation’ of violence and ‘rising temperatures’ in Kashmir after the Uri terror attack and called on India and Pakistan to resolve their differences through dialogue and enhance counter-terrorism cooperation. Expressing shock over Sunday’s terror attack on an Army camp in Uri, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said, “We want to express our deep sympathies and condolences to the affected families and the injured.” 

“We have noted relevant reports. We are shocked by this attack,” Lu told media briefing here when asked about India’s allegation that Pakistan-based militant group Jaish-e-Muhammad’s involvement in the attack. China opposes and strongly condemns all forms of terrorism. We are concerned about this escalation and rising temperatures surrounding Kashmir situation,” he said. 

“We hope relevant parties will have dialogue and consultation to resolve their differences and enhance counter terrorism cooperation. Only this way can they safeguard peace and security in their region,” he said.