India accuses Pak of fanning discontent in Kashmir

India termed Pakistan's continued effort to internationalise the Kashmir issue as a self-serving exercise towards narrow political end

Hitting out at Pakistan over its strong comments on Kashmir situation after the killing of militant Burhan Wani, India on Thursday accused it of not only infiltrating terrorists but also fanning discontent within the Valley by providing support to terrorist outfits.

Asserting that Wani issue was internal to India, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Pakistan has no right to interfere in the matter and asked it to refrain from doing it.

Asked if there was a shift in Pakistan strategy vis-a-vis Kashmir where one sees increase in number of home-grown militants, he said, "It is part of the continued strategy of Pakistan of not only infiltrating terrorists from across the border but also fanning discontent within the Valley by prodviding various support to terrorist outfits."

Terming Pakistan's continued effort to internationalise the Kashmir issue as a self-serving exercise towards narrow political end, Swarup said, "The world has a clear view about which country in the region covets the territory of others, uses terrorism as state policy, provides sanctuary to UN- designated terrorists and terror groups and violates human rights."

"Terrorism is terrorism and no amount of justification on part of Pakiatan is going to change that," he said.

Referring to summoning of Indian envoy in Islamabad by Pakistan Foreign Office to raise Kashmir situation, Swarup said, the envoy conveyed to Pakistan that it was an internal matter of India. He also said India rejected the demarche issued in the matter to him.

Rejecting reports that Pakistan envoy here Abdul Basit will be summoned on the issue, Swarup said since it is an internal issue, India sees no reason to involve Pakistan.

He also said recent comments by Pakistan after the killing of Wani, Hizbul commander, reflect its continued attachment to terrorism and its usage as an instrument of State policy.

While Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed shock over Wani's killing, his Foreign Office termed it an extra-judicial.