Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif has called a meeting over the unrest in Kashmir and Burhan Wani's killing.
Highlights
- Kashmir Valley seared by clashes since Burhan Wani was killed
- Wani, 22, shot on Friday night, was Hizb-ul-Mujahideen terrorist
- Pakistan eulogizes Wani, calls special cabinet meet on Kashmir unrest
Defying the warning from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government to refrain from "interfering in the internal affairs" of India, Pakistan is making near - daily gestures to worsen the immense unrest in the Kashmir Valley over the shooting of 22-year-old terrorist Burhan Wani.
Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called a special meeting on Friday. A statement from his office said, "The Cabinet will discuss the oppressive actions of Indian security forces against innocent civilians and the overall situation in Kashmir after the brutal assassination of Burhan Wani."
Wani, the commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen, the largest terror group in Kashmir, was killed on Friday night. Outraged civilians and thousands of young stone-throwers clashed with security forces over the next three days - 34 people have died, and more than 1,400 have been injured.
On Monday, when the violence was spiralling, Mr Sharif referred to Wani as "a Kashmiri leader", seeking to eulogize him. Pakistani terrorist Hafiz Saeed, wanted for planning and executing some of India's deadliest terror strikes, held a rally where he warned of "many more Wanis."
India retaliated with a statement declaring Pakistan had revealed it "continued attachment to terrorism" and asked Islamabad to "refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbours." Jitendra Singh, minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office, has blamed Pakistan for inciting the violence.
Yesterday, upon his return from a tour of Africa, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was briefed on the Kashmir crisis. The review reportedly included deliberations on Pakistan's role in spurring the violent demonstrations in the Kashmir Valley, large parts of which remain under curfew.
Pakistan's top army commanders met today and said, "the world needs to recognize the aspirations of Kashmiri people, their struggle for freedom".
The outrage over Wani's death has exposed the resurgence of militancy and its appeal in Kashmir. Wani was adept with social media, uploading pictures on Facebook of himself with weapons seized from attacks on security forces, and was a big draw for young men in the Valley.