PM Modi backs 'freedom' in Balochistan, Pakistani occupied Kashmir

Says he is grateful to the people of Balochistan, PoK to have supported his stance; slams Pak on glorifying terror

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday came out openly in support of "freedom" for Balochistan and "Pakistan occupied Kashmir".

"I want to speak a bit about the people in Balochistan, Gilgit, Baltistan, and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir," the Prime Minister said in his Independence Day speech from the Red Fort.

"The world is watching. People of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have thanked me a lot in the past few days," Modi said. "I am grateful to them."

He said the way people from these Pakistani regions "wished me well, gives me great joy".

Modi said last week that it was time for Islamabad to explain to the world "why it has been committing atrocities on people in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and Balochistan".

On Monday, Modi also hit out at Pakistan for supporting terrorism. This, he said, was in contrast to the way Indians reacted with sorrow when terrorists slaughtered school children in Peshawar.

"That is the nature of India. But on the other hand, look at those who glorify terrorists. What kind of people glorify terrorists? What kind of people celebrate when people are killed?"