India has sternly warned Pakistan to refrain from meddling in its internal affairs after Pakistan's Prime Minister and Foreign Ministry issued a statement condemning the Indian Army's activity in Jammu and Kashmir.
New Delhi (Sputnik) – Indian Ministry of External Affairs Spokesman Vikas Swarup said in a press release that the "Statement from Pakistan on the situation in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir reflects their continued attachment to terrorism and its usage as an instrument of State policy."
Vikas Swarup further added that, "Pakistan is advised to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbor."
Earlier, India's Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju said that, "If Pakistan is so concerned about human rights; it should look into the mistreatment meted out to the Kashmiris in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir at the hands of the Pakistani army. India is a democratic country. Pakistan has no business commenting on matters related to India."
India's response came after the Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who has been under attack from the opposition for being silent on the Kashmir issue, issued a statement condemning the action of Indian security forces.
"The Prime Minister of Pakistan has expressed his deep shock at the killing of Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani and many other civilians by the Indian military and paramilitary forces," a statement from Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's office read.
Earlier on Sunday, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry condemned India for its alleged human rights violation in Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan Foreign Ministry said, "The extrajudicial killings of Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani and scores of other innocent Kashmiris is deplorable and condemnable. Such acts are a violation of the fundamental human rights of Kashmiris and cannot deter the people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand for the realization of the right to self-determination."
"Pakistan reiterates that the resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute is only possible by the realization of the right to self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir as per the UNSC resolutions," a statement from Pakistani Foreign Ministry said.
The state of Jammu and Kashmir remains contested between India and Pakistan, as both of the neighboring countries claim sovereignty over it. India and Pakistan have fought four wars over Jammu and Kashmir, and the area has also witnessed several skirmishes and border stand-offs.
This story first appeared on Sputnik & is reposted here with permission.