As India called of talks with Pakistan in the wake of cops killings in Kashmir, Islamabad has said that India once again wasted an opportunity to change the dynamics of the bilateral relationship, reported the Dawn.
A statement issued by the Pakistan Foreign Office said that the reasons cited by the Indian side for the decision to cancel the foreign ministers’ meeting, within 24 hours of its public confirmation, are entirely unconvincing.
“The so-called ‘disturbing developments’ alluded to in the Indian statement predated the Indian agreement to hold the bilateral meeting in New York,” Islamabad said.
Clarifying its position on the matter, the Foreign Office said that the alleged killing of BSF soldier took place two days prior to the Indian announcement of its agreement to hold the bilateral meeting.
“When the allegations of Pakistan’s involvement first appeared, the Pakistan Rangers clearly conveyed to BSF through official channels that Pakistan had nothing to do with it. Pakistan Rangers also extended help in efforts to locate the soldier’s body.
“These facts were known to the Indian authorities and a part of the Indian media also reported that Pakistan had refuted its involvement. Yet, this motivated and malicious propaganda continued.
Moreover India had also said that Pakistan has issued stamps glorifying slain Hizb commander Burhan Wani.
PDP President and former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Friday reacting to the killings of policemen said that Government of India’s ‘muscular policy’ is clearly not working in the valley.
She also added that dialogue now seems to be a ‘distant dream’.
After militants killed three cops, who were abducted from Shopian, at least six have announced their resignations from three other districts of the valley.
While taking to social media, policemen from Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama quit their jobs. However, India’s Home Ministry in a statement said that no cop in the state has resigned.
Earlier, Three policemen – Firdous Ahmad Kuchay, Kulwant Singh and Nisar Ahmad – were abducted and killed by he militants in south Kashmir’s Shopian on Friday morning.
Last month 11 family members of police officials have been kidnapped by militants in different areas across Kashmir after the father of Hizb commander Riayz Naikoo was detained by the police.
Hizbul Mujahideen commander Riyaz Naikoo had reportedly tweeted about the kidnappings warning the armed forces about a ‘tit for tat’ after Naikoo’s father was arrested by the armed forces in a night raid on August 30.
