India slams Pakistan for coveting J&K, demands it to vacate POK

New Delhi, July 21: India on Thursday slammed Pakistan for its observance of "Kashmir's Accession to Pakistan Day", saying it exposes Pakistan's "longing for the territory of Jammu and Kashmir" and demanded that Pakistan must vacate its "illegal occupation of POK (Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir)".

In a strong statement, the Ministry of External Affairs also demanded that Pakistan must "stop misleading the international community and Kashmiris through meaningless exercises like such as the 'so-called elections' ".

The statement by MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup comes in response to Islambad observing "Kashmir's Accession to Pakistan Day" on July 19 and 'Black Day' on July 20 across Pakistan. Pakistan also held elections in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir on July 21.

"The observance of 'Kashmir's Accession to Pakistan Day' exposes Pakistan's longing for the territory of Jammu and Kashmir. India demands that Pakistan must fulfil the obligation to vacate its illegal occupation of POK," said the official statement.

"It must also stop misleading the international community and Kashmiris through meaningless exercises such as the so-called elections today in POK which Pakistan ironically calls 'Azad' (free)," it added.

India asked Pakistan "to stop inciting and supporting violence and terrorism in any part of our country and refrain from its deplorable meddling in our internal affairs in any manner".

"We have seen reports about rallies, events and statements related to Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistan and POK over the last two days. We have also noted that the events were led by UN-designated terrorists, who had in the past protested the elimination of dreaded terrorists, including Osama bin Laden and Taliban leader Akhtar Mansour in Pakistan," said the statement.

"India strongly condemns the encouragement and support which such terrorists and their activities receive from Pakistan's state. We once again ask Pakistan to stop inciting and supporting violence and terrorism in any part of our country and refrain from its deplorable meddling in our internal affairs in any manner," it added.

India also demanded that Pakistan must ensure full safety and security of the officials at the High Commission of India in Islamabad and their families.

IANS