Pak asks India to release detained separatist leaders

Pakistan has also rejected the baseless Indian claim of carrying out surgical strikes

Pakistan on Thursday urged India to release all Hurriyat leaders arrested during the unrest in Kashmir, saying they had merely carried out a "peaceful struggle" for their right to self-determination.

Foreign Office (FO) spokesman Nafees Zakaria said at the weekly briefing that Pakistan "strongly condemns the continued Indian brutalities in Kashmir in which Indian forces have martyred more than 110 civilians and over 15,000 are injured with many in critical condition".

He said that detained Hurriyat leader Ali Shah Gilani has been kept under house arrest for so long despite his ailing health while Yasin Malik developed "life-threatening" heart problems due to "inhuman" treatment meted out to him during his "illegal detention".

"Pakistan condemns detention/arrests of the Kashmiri leaders, who are peacefully struggling for their right to self-determination, promised to them in the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions," he said.

"We urge India to release thousands of political prisoners who have been booked under the lawless law, Public Safety Act."

He said three months long "reign of state terrorism" by India has also inflicted sufferings to the Kashmiri people.

Zakaria urged the international community, particularly the prominent human rights organisations, to take notice of what he termed as "genocide and crimes against humanity" being committed by Indian forces in Kashmir.

He said Pakistan has rejected the baseless Indian claim of carrying out "surgical strikes" across the LoC.

"Falsified and irresponsible statements can only escalate tensions and are indeed a threat to the regional peace and security, which India sought to create on purpose," he said.

He said a number of queries that have been raised on the sketchy and vague claim of the Indian government, even within India and UNMOGIP (UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan) also visited the area and found nothing in support of the Indian claim.

"We have seen comments of the Spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General, which categorically reject the Indian claim. The UNMOGIP has the mandate to observe the situation on the LoC and its assessment is highly valuable," he said.

Zakaria also expressed disappointment at India's decision to exclude Pakistan Kabbadi team from the world cup.

"Such an approach reflects the level of anti-Pakistan rhetoric in India," he said.

Responding to a question, Zakaria rejected India's claims of Pakistan violating ceasefire on the LoC.

"Please note that not even on a single occasion has Pakistan violated ceasefire agreement on the LoC," he said.