Pak vows to back Kashmir struggle

Islamabad also defends Syed Salahuddin, calls US label of ‘global terrorist’ on him unjustified

Pakistan on Tuesday described as “completely unjustified” the US’ designation of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist and said it will continue its “political, diplomatic and moral support for the Kashmiri people”.

The foreign ministry said the “indigenous struggle of Kashmiris” in Jammu and Kashmir “remains legitimate. The designation of individuals supporting the Kashmiri right to self-determination as terrorists is completely unjustified”.

A ministry spokesman made no reference by name to the Pakistan-based Salahuddin who was designated a global terrorist by the US State Department just hours ahead of a meeting in Washington between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The spokesman came out strongly in support of the separatist campaign in Jammu and Kashmir which has left thousands dead since 1989. India says the separatists are armed, funded and trained by Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denies.

Accusing the Indian security forces and the government of unleashing terror in Jammu and Kashmir, the statement said “the Kashmiris remain undeterred and unbowed.

“Pakistan shall continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for the realization of the right to selfdetermination and the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions.”

In its announcement, the State Department said that in September 2016, Salahuddin had vowed to block any peaceful resolution to the Kashmir conflict, threatened to train more Kashmiri suicide bombers and vowed to turn the Kashmir valley “into a graveyard for Indian forces”.

As a consequence of the designation as a global terrorist, U.S. individuals are banned from engaging in financial transactions with Salahuddin and all his property in the U.S. is blocked, the State Department said.

He first crossed into Pakistan-administered Kashmir in 1990 and went back to Indian Kashmir several times for militant action.

Syed Salahuddin, chief of the terrorist group Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, has been declared a Specially Designated Global Terrorist by the US Department of State.