ISLAMABAD: The Spokesperson’s Office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement on Saturday to condemn the indiscriminate firing of heavy weapons and grenades on a Mosque in Shopian, Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJK). The incident occurred on 9 April 2021 when Indian forces fired rounds and grenades on a mosque during a military operation.
Desecration and damage caused to the Mosque during so-called “cordon-and-search operation”, and repeated incidence of extra-judicial killings in various places in IIOJK, are manifestations of the unabated state-terrorism to which Kashmiris are subjected in the occupied territory, the statement said.
“This inhuman conduct of Indian forces is reflective of their moral bankruptcy as well as the prevalent culture of impunity in IIOJK.” the statement read. “Targeting the faith and cultural identity of the people of occupied territory is in clear violation of basic human norms and fundamental precepts of international law.”
The statement said that Kashmiris have been subject to violence, however, the use of violence to suppress the will of the people will not succeed. “History is witness that the use of brutal and indiscriminate force against the Kashmiris and targeting of their religious places has not succeeded in breaking their will. Such attempts will not succeed in the future as well.”
The statement reiterated Pakistan’s continued support for the Kashmiri people in their struggle for the right to self-determination as enshrined in the relevant UNSC resolutions.
