Indian forces arrest more than 1000 protesters in Kashmir

The diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries turned bitter recently when Indian home minister Rajnath Singh left a South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (Saarc) meeting amid a spat with his Pakistani counterpart, Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. Indian security forces have continued to target innocent civilians with pellet guns in an attempt to dispel protesters from voicing their demand for freedom.

Shops, businesses, schools, government offices, banks and other institutions remained closed for the 28th straight day.

Salahudeen asserted that a “fourth war” is imminent with India and Pakistan supports the cause of Kashmir, there will be a nuclear was for the cause.

With Kashmir crossing 30 days under curfew, and anger over the killing of 22-year-old Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani still simmering, Prime Minister Narendra Modi finally broke his silence today on the violence which has engulfed the Valley, and appealed for calm.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training Kashmiri rebels who have been fighting for independence or merger with Pakistan since 1989.

More than 68,000 people have been killed in the armed uprising against Indian rule and the subsequent Indian military crackdown. “Pakistan will continue to provide moral, political and diplomatic support to them”, said the prime minister. Dozens of people have lost their vision because of pellet injuries.

Pakistan marked “black day” earlier on July 20 to express solidarity with the Kashmiri people and condemn the violence.

In Friday’s shootings, two protesters were killed in the west of Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir state’s summer capital, and one in the north of the city after crowds began attacking police and paramilitary positions following Friday prayers, a senior police officer said.

The Indian army claimed to have shot dead a man near the de facto border with Pakistan, although it was not immediately clear whether the deceased had crossed into India from there.