In a classic case of pot calling the kettle black, Pakistan accused India of violating human rights of Kashmiris a day after attacking them with anti-tank missiles.
While Pak army has been bombarding Indian civilian areas with missiles and mortar shells along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Rajouri district, Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain and Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi talked about ‘resolution of Kashmir dispute for peace and prosperity in the Valley’.
In their separate messages on Kashmir Solidarity Day, observed by Pakistan today, top Pak leaders said the dream of peace and prosperity in the region would remain elusive without resolving the Kashmir issue.
Pakistan called upon the international community to urge India to “respect the Human Rights Charter, put an immediate end to the gross human rights violations of Kashmiris and ensure expedited resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in line with the UNSC Resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.”
In a stark contrast to its official statements, Pakistan attacked Indian civilian areas with anti-tank missiles and mortar shells along the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The Pak shelling was so close to the residential areas Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district that locals were forced to flee and seek safe cover to avoid loss of life. In view of the shelling, all 84 schools within five kilometres of the LoC in Rajouri district have been ordered to remain shut for next three days.
The officials said that the situation was very tense as firing and shelling by Pakistani troops continued round the clock. Indian forces gave a befitting reply.
This is the second time this year that schools in parts of Jammu and Kashmir had to be shut because of Pak firing. In January, schools along the International Border and the LoC in five districts -- Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch - were closed for over a fortnight because of firing and shelling by Pakistani troops. Giant balloons of smoke could be seen rising on the hills at the LoC.
Authorities in Poonch issued an advisory asking people to stay inside their homes.
However, several local villagers were forced to rush out of their houses and seek shelter.
A local told India TV that there is widespread fear and anger towards Pakistan. "We have been forced to fear for our lifetime and again. As soon as the firing started we rushed out of our houses, in fact, some children do not even know where their parents are," he said.
An Indian Army captain and 3 soldiers also lost their lives to Pak firing in Rajouri district on Sunday.
(With inputs from PTI)
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