Sushma hits out at sharif over J&K

NEW DELHI: External affairs minister Sushma Swaraj addressed a press conference on Saturday with harsh words for Pakistan, especially its Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in response to the neighbour’s comments over the unrest in Kashmir.

“A country which used fighter planes and artillery against its own people has no right whatsoever to point a finger against our security forces”, Swaraj said at the press conference, where she was also accompanied by ministers Manohar Parrikar and MJ Akbar.

Sushma’s comments came as home minister Rajnath Singh reached the expected to soothe frayed nerves after at least 47 people have been killed in clashes between security forces and civilians protesting the killing of Burhan Wani, a 22-year-old militant leader.

“Behind Pakistan’s encouragement to terrorism lies its delusional though dangerous dream of Kashmir becoming a part of it one day, as the Pakistani PM said yesterday. The whole of India would like to tell PM of Pakistan that this dream won’t be realized even at the end of eternity”, she said.

“Whole of J&K belongs to India. You (Pak) will never be able to make this heaven on earth a haven for terrorists,” she added.

On Friday, Pakistani newspaper Dawn quoted Sharif as saying: “Their movement for freedom cannot be stopped and it will be successful. You are aware of how they are being beaten and killed. All our prayers are with them and we are waiting for the day Kashmir becomes Pakistan”.

Pakistan observed on July 20 a “black day” to protest against the killings in Jammu and Kashmir, drawing an angry reaction from India.

Behind Pakistan’s encouragement to terrorism lies its delusional though dangerous dream of Kashmir becoming a part of it one day... The whole of India would like to tell PM of Pakistan that this dream won’t be realized even at the end of eternity SUSHMA SWARAJ, External affairs minister