Pakistan condemns Indian use of force in Kashmir

Sep 14, 2010, 9:27 GMT

Islamabad - Pakistan on Tuesday condemned the use of force by law enforcement agencies against demonstrators in India-administered Kashmir.

Fifteen civilians and a policeman were killed Monday when security forces tried to disperse protests against Indian rule and reported Koran desecrations in the United States.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi 'strongly condemned the use of blatant violence by Indian security forces against Kashmiri people that has resulted in the loss of scores of innocent lives since June this year,' a statement issued from his office said.

Qureshi urged India to exercise restraint and work toward finding a solution to the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

Kashmir is a disputed region, divided into Pakistan- and India-administered parts. Both countries lay claim to the whole of the region.

The two South Asian neighbours have fought two wars over Kashmir. Pakistan is believed to have secretly assisted the insurgency in Kashmir by providing training and weapons to separatist guerillas.

Pakistan and India agreed on a ceasefire in 2003 and started a peace process to resolve outstanding problems, including Kashmir. But the dialogue has been halted since the 2008 terrorist attacks in India's financial hub of Mumbai.

The strikes were allegedly carried out by the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba, which is believed to have its bases in Pakistan-administered Kashmir.

Qureshi expressed Pakistan's 'unequivocal solidarity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir.'

He reiterated that Pakistan would continue to extend its political, moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination.