Pakistan condemns arrest of separatist leaders in Kashmir

Islamabad: Pakistan on Sunday condemned the use of force by security forces against protesters in Kashmir and said the arrest of separatist leaders in the Valley is a matter of concern. “Pakistan is deeply concerned at the increase in systematic human rights violations in Kashmir. We condemn the brutal use of force by Indian security forces against peaceful and unarmed protesters, resulting in the killing of two Kashmiri young men,” Foreign Office spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said in a statement. [caption id=“attachment_2202470” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Kashmiri youth protest against teenager’s killing in Budgam district on Saturday. PTI[/caption] Several separatist leaders, including Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, have been put under house arrest by authorities in Kashmir to foil their plans of holding protests against the killing of a teenager in Budgam district. A teenager, was killed on Saturday when security forces fired upon demonstrators in Budgam as they were protesting against the killing of two youths in an army operation in Tral area of Pulwama district on April 13. Aslam said the arrest of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) leaders “on false charges is matter of concern”. “Brutality and coercion have not and will not succeed in suppressing the aspiration and struggle of Kashmiris for their right to self-determination, promised to them by the UNSC resolutions,” she said. Aslam said Pakistan repeatedly stressed the need for peaceful resolution of the Kashmir issue through sustained and meaningful dialogue between Pakistan and India and in accordance with the wishes of Kashmiris. The spokeswoman said that Pakistan will continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris. PTI