Pakistan PM condemns Burhan Wani’s killing as Kashmir burns; separatists to extend strike

Three days after militant commander Burhan Wani was killed in south Kashmir, strict restrictions continue to remain imposed across Kashmir valley. (Source: Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi)

Even as Kashmir continues to boil, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Shrif has expressed deep shock at the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani and many other civilians in Jammu & Kashmir by the Indian security forces.

Sharif, who recently returned from London after an open-heart surgery, came out with a late night statement condemning the action of Indian security forces in Kashmir.

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

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The Prime Minister 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 Jammu and Kashmir from their demand of exercising their right to self-determination in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions,” he said.

High level meeting being chaired by HM on law & order situation in J&K. Arun Jaitley, NSA, Home Secy, IB Chief, other top officials present.

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 11, 2016

Expressing concern over the detention of Kashmiri separatist leaders, Sharif said India should fulfill its human rights obligations as well as its commitments under the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

#FLASH Separatists groups to extend their strike call in J&K for two more days (Tuesday and Wednesday).

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 11, 2016

#Flash Police post set on fire by protesters in Sopore (J&K).

— ANI (@ANI_news) July 11, 2016

Meanwhile, the death toll due to the violence following Wani’s killing has risen to 30 in Kashmir. The official report has listed 29 civilian protesters and a policeman among the 30 people killed.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday spoke to Congress President Sonia Gandhi as well as former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on the on-going crisis in Kashmir.

Sonia expressed deep anguish at the loss of innocent lives in the clashes in parts of Kashmir Valley in the past few days. “There can be no compromise on matters relating to national security and terrorism must be dealt with firmly and forcefully,” Sonia said in a statement released by the party.

(With inputs from PTI)