'Pakistan showing continued attachment to terrorism'

Reacting to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's assertion at a joint session of his country's Parliament that the Kashmir "liberation struggle" has taken a new turn after the "martyrdom" of militant commander Burhan Wani, sources here said that it again showed Pakistan's continued backing of terrorism.

"It shows Pakistan's continued attachment to terrorism," a source within the Indian establishment here said on Wednesday.

Speaking on a motion moved by Law Minister Zahid Hamid for discussion on the Kashmir issue and the situation arising out of "ceasefire violations" along the Line of Control on Wednesday, Sharif said Wani's "martyrdom" was a symbol of "Kashmiri Intifada" and India cannot hold innocent Kashmiris hostage despite grave human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, Radio Pakistan reported.

Inviting India to resolve all the outstanding issues through composite dialogue, Sharif said Pakistan was a responsible state, but its desire for peace should not be considered as its weakness, adding: "Our armed forces are capable to thwart any foreign aggression effectively."

India pulled out of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) Summit that was scheduled to be held in Islamabad in November citing Pakistan's sponsorship of terrorism in the region.

New Delhi's move came after the September 18 cross-border terror attack on an army base at Uri in Jammu and Kashmir that claimed the lives of 19 Indian soldiers.

The attack came amidst large-scale violence in Jammu and Kashmir that has claimed around 90 lives following the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist Wani in July.

--IANS

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