By Islamuddin Sajid
ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) - Pakistan’s civil and military leadership on Sunday warned India that Islamabad would respond to any “misadventure” or aggression against Pakistan.
The warning came in a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office in the capital Islamabad after a meeting of the National Security Committee, a forum of top civil and military official, chaired by Premier Imran Khan.
"Pakistan remains ready to defend itself against any Indian misadventure or aggression and will continue to provide all-out diplomatic, moral and political support to the brave people of IOJ&K [Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir] in their indigenous struggle to get justice and their right to self-determination in line with UNSC resolutions," the statement said.
Khan summoned the urgent NSC meeting to discuss the current situation after Pakistan on Saturday claimed that Indian forces used cluster munitions on civilians near the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing the disputed Kashmir valley.
India on Saturday quickly blasted Pakistan’s claims as “lies” and “deceit,” but has yet to respond to the statement after the NSC meeting.
The NSC also condemned the Indian actions in Indian-administered Kashmir and LoC, warning: “The recent Indian measures will increase the levels of violence and turn this area into a flashpoint and a destabilising factor in the midst of two strategically capable neighbouring countries."
Khan also said that Pakistan will always stand with Kashmiris and not be deterred from its just stance based on UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the Kashmiri people.
"India is totally disregarding international obligations, and her arrogance will only result in heightening the conflict dynamics in the region," Khan added.
- Islamic bloc reacts
A separate statement by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said it was “deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in the Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir including reports of deployment of additional paramilitary forces and use of banned cluster munition by the Indian forces to target civilians."
The OIC General Secretariat decried reported civilian casualties "resulting from ceasefire violations carried out by Indian forces across the Line of Control and expresses solidarity with the people of Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir,” the statement added.
The statement came after Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi spoke on the telephone with OIC Secretary General Yousef bin Ahmed Al Othaimeen.
The OIC also urged the international community to fulfill its responsibility to help peacefully resolve the Jammu and Kashmir dispute through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmir dispute
Jammu and Kashmir, a Muslim-majority Himalayan region, is held by India and Pakistan in parts and claimed by both in full. A small sliver of Kashmir is also held by China.
Since they were partitioned in 1947, the two countries have fought three wars -- in 1948, 1965 and 1971 -- two of them over Kashmir.
Also, in Siachen glacier in northern Kashmir, Indian and Pakistani troops have fought intermittently since 1984. A cease-fire came into effect in 2003.
Some Kashmiri groups in Jammu and Kashmir have been fighting against Indian rule for independence, or for unification with neighboring Pakistan.
According to several human rights organizations, thousands of people have reportedly been killed in the conflict in the region since 1989.