Imran says it is right time for Trump mediation on Kashmir
Tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir have the potential to blow up into a regional crisis and it is the right time for US President Donald Trump to mediate, Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan said on Sunday.
Imran’s comments come a day ater Pakistan said India used illegal cluster bombs, killing two civilians and wounding 11, in the disputed Kashmir region.
“President trump offered to media te on kashmir. This is the time to do so as situation deteriorates there and along the LOC (Line of Control) with new aggressive actions being taken by Indian forces,” Imran said on Twiter, referring to the heavily militarised de facto border that divides the two parts of Kashmir between India and Pakistan.
“This has the potential to blow up into a regional crisis,” Imran said.
In July, Trump told reporters that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had asked him during a meeting in Japan if he would like to be a mediator on Kashmir. India denied Modi ever asked for any mediation.
Muslim-majority Kashmir, claimed by both India and Pakistan, has long been a bone of
Indian allegations of cross LOC action by Pak troops and possession of bodies are mere propaganda, says army’s spokesman; minister urges nation to back armed forces
contention between the two. Tensions flared ater a vehicle laden with explosives rammed into an Indian police convoy on Feb.14, killing 40 paramilitary police, and leading to aerial clashes between the two nations.
Tensions have escalated particularly since Friday, when local Indian officials in Kashmir issued an alert over possible militant atacks.
On Sunday, Kashmir remained on high alert with Indian paramilitary forces deployed across major towns. One senior local official said a curfew was likely next week.
However, the city police chief in Srinagar, the state’s main city, told Reuters he had no knowledge of a curfew.
Hospitals were on alert, with staff told not to leave the city without permission, officials said.
Director General Inter-services Public Relations (ISPR) Major Gen Asif Ghafoor on Saturday dismissed Indian allegations of cross Line of Control incursion by the Pakistan army as “mere propaganda.”
“Indian allegations of cross LOC action by Pakistan and possession of bodies are mere propaganda,” an ISPR statement said.
“Such blatant lies/staged dramas are Indian disinformation manoeuvre to divert world atention from increased atrocities by Indian fforces inside Kashmir.”
The DG ISPR said Indian troops have been using cluster ammunition to target civilians from across the LOC in violation of international conventions. “Use of cluster bombs by Indian army violating international conventions is condemnable. No weapon can suppress determination of Kashmiris to get their right of self-determination. Kashmir runs in the blood of every Pakistani. Indigenous freedom struggle of Kashmiris shall succeed, IA,” he tweeted.
Minister for Railways Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad on Sunday urged the nation to stand with Pakistan armed forces.
In a video message pertaining to a tense situation in Kashmir and along Line of Control, he said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was badly exposed by Trump and is now doing such acts for face-saving.
“Modi was upset due to the successful negotiations between Trump and Imran as the US president has revealed the hypocrite face of India before the world,” he added.
The minister strongly condemned the Indian government’s decision to deploy additional troops in the valley, saying the move has created fear among the people.
He appealed to the nation and especially the youth to highlight Indian forces’ atrocities on social media.
Kashmir touts itself as a “Paradise on Earth”, with its Dal Lake, famous houseboats and mountains among major attractions.
Britain and Germany have in advisories discouraged their citizens from visiting, but around 160 foreign tourists arrived on Saturday, one official said. Some were not worried.
“Why should we be scared? It is a nice place and people are very helpful,” said Molly, a Swiss tourist.
Nevertheless, tourism is bound to suffer as tensions rise.
“All of a sudden tourists let ... I have no work for the last two days. We are up for bad times,” said Abdul Rashid Shah, 53, a boatman at the Dal Lake.