India objects to vandalism of PoK ancient site

India on Wednesday conveyed its strong concern to the Pakistan government on the reported vandalism of an ancient Buddhist rock-carving heritage site at Chilas in the Gilgit-Baltistan area of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, condemning it as the “contempt for the ancient civilisational and cultural heritage”.

India on Wednesday conveyed its strong concern to Pakistan on the reported vandalism of an ancient Buddhist rockcarving heritage site at Chilas in the Gilgit-Baltistan area of PoK, condemning the “contempt for the ancient civilisational and cultural heritage”. Delhi sought access from Islamabad “for Indian experts to the area in order to restore and preserve this invaluable archaeological heritage”.

According to media reports, the heritage site that dates back to the 8thcentury AD was defaced recently with paintings of the Pakistani flag and slogans.

In a statement, the MEA said, “We have conveyed our strong concern at reports of vandalism, defacement and destruction of invaluable Indian Buddhist heritage located in so called ‘GilgitBaltistan’ area of the Indian territory under illegal and forcible occupation of Pakistan. It is a matter of grave concern that the Buddhist symbols are being destroyed and the religious and cultural rights and freedoms are being trampled with impunity in the Indian territories under illegal occupation of Pakistan. Egregious activities of this nature which display contempt for the ancient civilisational and cultural heritage are highly condemnable.”

The MEA added, “We have sought immediate access for our experts to the area in order to restore and preserve this invaluable archaeological heritage. We have once again called upon Pakistan to immediately vacate all illegally occupied territories and end gross violation of political, economic and cultural rights of people living there.”