ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday condemned what it termed the 'extra-judicial' killing of Hizbul Mujahideen militant commander Burhan Wani by government forces in India-held Kashmir (IHK) as the death toll from clashes between Indian troops and protesters in the region rose to 15.

In his early 20's, Burhan Wani became the iconic face of militancy in Kashmir over the last five years. ─ File
In his early 20's, Burhan Wani became the iconic face of militancy in Kashmir over the last five years. ─ File

Wani, the Hizbul Mujahideen chief of operations, was killed in fighting on Friday after Indian troops, acting on a tip, cordoned a forested village in the southern Kashmir's Kokernag area, said Police Director-General K. Rajendra.

Two other members of Wani's group were also killed in the gun battle.

"The extra-judicial killing of Kashmiri leader Burhan Wani and scores of other innocent Kashmiris is deplorable and condemnable," Foreign Office Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said.

The FO spokesman added that "such acts are a violation of the fundamental human rights of Kashmiris and can not deter the people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand for the realisation of the right to self determination".

In his early 20s, Wani, had become the iconic face of militancy in Kashmir over the last five years. The son of a school headmaster, he regularly posted video messages online dressed in military fatigues and invited young men to join the movement against Indian rule.

Read more: Indian troops clash with Kashmiri protesters as top rebel commander killed

Indian authorities imposed an indefinite curfew in most parts of Kashmir after Wani was killed, but massive protests continued despite attempts to suppress violence.

More than 100 civilians have so far been injured in clashes with Indian troops, who used live ammunition, pellet guns and tear gas to try and control the angry crowds, police said.

Know more: 15 die as protests roil India-held Kashmir after militant's death

Nafees Zakaria also expressed Pakistan's concerns over the detention of Kashmiri leadership in IHK and called upon the Indian government to fulfil its human rights obligations as well as its commitments under United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.

Pakistan reiterates that the resolution of the Kashmir dispute is only possible through the realisation of the right to self-determination of the people of Kashmir, as per UNSC resolutions, through a fair and impartial plebiscite under UN auspices, the FO spokesman said.

PM condemns Wani's killing

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif too condemned the killing of Burhan Wani and other civilians at the hands of Indian forces in India-held Kashmir.

"It is deplorable that excessive and unlawful force was used against the civilians who were protesting against the killing of Burhan Wani. Oppressive measures cannot deter the valiant people of Jammu and Kashmir from their demand of exercising their right to self determination in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions," Nawaz Sharif said in a statement released from his office.

The PM also expressed serious concern over the continued detention of the Kashmiri leadership in India-held Kashmir and called upon the Indian government to fulfill its human rights obligations as well as its commitments under the United Nations Security Council Resolutions.

Opinion

Who bears the cost?

Who bears the cost?

This small window of low inflation should compel a rethink of how the authorities and employers understand the average household’s

Editorial

Internet restrictions
Updated 23 Dec, 2024

Internet restrictions

Notion that Pakistan enjoys unprecedented freedom of expression difficult to reconcile with the reality of restrictions.
Bangladesh reset
23 Dec, 2024

Bangladesh reset

THE vibes were positive during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s recent meeting with Bangladesh interim leader Dr...
Leaving home
23 Dec, 2024

Leaving home

FROM asylum seekers to economic migrants, the continuing exodus from Pakistan shows mass disillusionment with the...
Military convictions
Updated 22 Dec, 2024

Military convictions

Pakistan’s democracy, still finding its feet, cannot afford such compromises on core democratic values.
Need for talks
22 Dec, 2024

Need for talks

FOR a long time now, the country has been in the grip of relentless political uncertainty, featuring the...
Vulnerable vaccinators
22 Dec, 2024

Vulnerable vaccinators

THE campaign to eradicate polio from Pakistan cannot succeed unless the safety of vaccinators and security personnel...