India Condemns Pakistan Over PoK Crackdown

India strongly criticised Pakistan's response to the ongoing unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Friday, accusing Islamabad of using force against civilians.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal addressed the weekly media briefing in New Delhi, stating that Pakistan's own leadership had acknowledged the consequences of its long-standing policy of supporting militant groups.

Jaiswal said that the Pakistani establishment had branded protesting civilians as enemies, while admitting that militant groups once trained, funded, and armed by the state to operate in India had now turned against Pakistan itself.

The recently held elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir reflected a deep rejection of the Pakistani establishment and exposed the growing instability in the region, according to Jaiswal.

Highlighting allegations of excessive use of force, Jaiswal said that people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir had appealed to international organisations for an independent investigation into what they described as unlawful killings during the crackdown on protests.

The MEA urged the international community to scrutinise Pakistan's actions and hold it accountable for its atrocities.

Separately, the MEA took exception to the use of the term 'Pakistani Kashmir' by The New York Times, reiterating that the territory is legally part of India and urging international media outlets and stakeholders to use terminology consistent with India's position.

Jaiswal reaffirmed that the entire Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are an integral and inalienable part of India, stating that this has remained New Delhi's consistent position.

The situation in PoK has been a point of contention between India and Pakistan for decades, with both countries claiming sovereignty over the region.

The international community has been urged to take notice of the human rights violations in PoK and to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions.

The MEA's statement is a strong indication of India's stance on the issue and its commitment to protecting the rights of the people in the region.

In conclusion, the situation in PoK remains a sensitive and complex issue, with both India and Pakistan having differing views on the matter.

The international community's response to the situation will be crucial in determining the course of events in the region.