Pak must be "thanked" for downgrading ties with India: Sena

The Shiv Sena on Friday said Kashmir was now a closed chapter for Pakistan and asserted that Islamabad downgrading diplomatic ties with India post removal of special status for the border state will hurt it more than New Delhi.

Early this week, the Centre revoked special status to Jammu and Kashmir accorded under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated the state into two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

Pakistan on Wednesday expelled Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria as part of its decision to downgrade the diplomatic ties with India over what it called New Delhi's "unilateral and illegal" move on J&K.

"What more can Pakistan do?" asked the editorial in the Sena mouthpiece 'Saamana', seeking to highlight insignificance of Islamabad's reaction.

"Thanking" Pakistan for downgrading the diplomatic ties with India, the Sena said Islamabad should now accept the Kashmir issue was a closed chapter for them and the only thing left with them is POK which will also be settled soon.

Referring to the pro-India banners, including a quote of Sena leader Sanjay Raut, that have appeared in parts of Islamabad, the editorial said the saffron outfit had entered the Pakistan territory and the Indian Army will follow suit.

One of the banners carried a quote of Raut: "Aaj Jammu -Kashmir liya hai, kal Balochistan, PoK lenge. Mujhe vishwas hai desh ke PM Akhand Hindustan ka sapna poora karenge [Today, we took Jammu and Kashmir, tomorrow we will take Balochistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. I am sure Prime Minister Modi will make the dream of undivided India come true]."