ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani Foreign Office (FO) has strongly condemned the “barbaric” killing of three individuals in the custody of the Indian army in held Kashmir and described the incident as a clear example of the neighboring country’s “relentless state terrorism” in the occupied valley.
The FO’s statement comes in response to a report by the Associated Press, which detailed the alleged torture and subsequent deaths of the three Kashmiris while in Indian army custody. The report also highlighted the widespread anger triggered by videos purportedly showing the torture of detained civilians, as well as the subsequent internet shutdown in the region.
The FO’s condemnation underscores the ongoing tensions and human rights violations in the region, emphasizing the need for accountability and a peaceful resolution to the longstanding dispute in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).
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Pakistan Condemns Custodial Killing of Three Kashmiri Civilians in IIOJK
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— Spokesperson 🇵🇰 MoFA (@ForeignOfficePk) December 24, 2023
The incident in question occurred in the wake of an attack on two army vehicles in Poonch, after which the army arrested at least eight civilians for interrogation
According to the report, the bodies of the three individuals showed marks of severe torture, and the families of the detained individuals reported that the other five were moved to an army hospital after being severely tortured.
In a statement issued today, the FO said that it strongly condemned the “barbaric custodial killing” of the three Kashmiris.
“The slain civilians were tortured to death at a camp of the Indian occupation army. A purported video clip of Indian personnel stripping three men and sprinkling chilli powder on them is viral on social media,” the FO said.
“The incident, once again, exposes India’s relentless state terrorism in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The perpetrators of these custodial killings must be held accountable,” it added.
“India’s brutal occupation is the root cause of all major issues in IIOJK. The Kashmiri people must realise their inalienable right to self-determination, as enshrined in the relevant UN Security Council resolutions,” it said.
Additionally, videos purportedly showing the torture of the detained civilians spread online, leading to widespread anger among the local population. This prompted authorities to cut off internet services on smart devices in Poonch and Rajouri as a tactic to prevent potential protests and discourage the dissemination of the videos. These details further underscore the severity and impact of the alleged custodial killings and the subsequent response from the authorities.
