In extreme Provocation on Kashmir, Pakistan refers to Gujarat Riots

Mangalore Today/ PTI

New Delhi, July 15, 2016: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja M Asif has posted a series of provocative tweets comparing this week’s clashes in Kashmir to the Gujarat riots of 2002.

Mr Asif has called the clashes "an extention & re enactment of ethnic cleansing started by Modi in Gujrat (sic)."

His comments this morning came as Pakistan media reported that the country’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has said Tuesday, July 19, will be observed as a "Black Day to mark complete solidarity with Kashmiris."

Rejecting "completely and unequivocally" the decision taken by the Pakistan cabinet, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement "we are dismayed by the continued attempts by Pakistan to interfere in our internal matters."

In a statement earlier this week, India had advised Pakistan to "refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbours" after Mr Sharif had sought to glorify terrorist Burhan Wani of the Hizbul Mujahideen, whose killing on Friday last provoked the large clashes which have killed 36 people and left over 1500 injured.

Mr Sharif had on Monday referred to the 22-year-old Burhan Wani as a "Kashmiri leader" and had expressed "deep shock" at his killing.

India said the comments from Pakistan prove its "attachment to terrorism."

Burhan Wani was killed in south Kashmir in an intelligence-led police operation. For months before his death he made nimble use of social media to attract and recruit young, educated men for the Hizbul Mujahideen, the largest terror group in Kashmir.

In protests that followed, police stations and vehicles were set on fire. There is curfew still in all ten districts of the Valley and mobile Internet services remain suspended.