India will attempt 'false flag operation' to divert attention from occupied Kashmir, PM Imran warns

Published August 23, 2019
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday warned the international community of India's intention to attempt a 'false flag operation' to divert attention from occupied Kashmir. — AFP/File
Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday warned the international community of India's intention to attempt a 'false flag operation' to divert attention from occupied Kashmir. — AFP/File

Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday alerted the international community to a possible "false flag operation" by the Indian leadership to "divert attention from massive human rights violations" in occupied Kashmir.

"I want to warn the international community that the Indian leadership will in all probability attempt a false flag operation to divert attention from its massive human rights violations and the unleashing of a reign of terror in IOJK [Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir]," said the premier via Twitter.

"We are hearing Indian media claims that some terrorists from Afghanistan have entered IOJK for terrorist activities, while others have entered India's southern regions. These claims are predictable to divert attention from India's ethnic cleansing and genocide agenda in IOJK," he added.

The prime minister's comments come as Indian premier Narendra Modi visits France ahead of the G-7 summit.

According to AP, French President Emmanuel Macron in his meeting with Modi on Thursday pressed for dialogue with Pakistan over the crisis in occupied Kashmir.

As part of his three-nation tour, Modi will visit the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain next. In the UAE, Modi will be conferred with the nation's highest honour, the Order of Zayed, according to Hindustan Times. Modi's visit to Bahrain will be the first ever by an Indian prime minister.

Earlier on Wednesday, in an interview with The New York Times, Prime Minister Imran had expressed concern that India might undertake a deceptive “false flag operation” in occupied Kashmir to try to justify military action against Pakistan, adding that Pakistan would be forced to respond.

“And then you are looking at two nuclear-armed countries eyeball to eyeball, and anything can happen. My worry is that this can escalate and for two nuclear-armed countries, it should be alarming for the world what we are facing now,” he said in the interview.

India stripped Kashmiris of their seven-decade-long special autonomy through a rushed presidential order on August 5. A communications blackout and heavy restrictions on movement imposed by the Indian authorities from the eve of this development entered their 19th day on Thursday.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...