Pakistan exporting terror to destabilise J&K, India tells UNHRC

Pakistan has been pro-actively using terrorism to destabilise Jammu and Kashmir and India has "concrete evidence" about its cross-border "encouragement and support" for the sponsored protests in Kashmir, India told the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on Wednesday.

Replying to Pakistan's allegations during a general debate at the 35th session of the UNHRC, India accused Islamabad of resorting to "short-sighted tactics" to divert attention.

India also accused Pakistan of "misusing" the UN platform to pursue its political objectives.

"Pakistan's unsolicited and unwarranted comments pertaining to the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is an integral part of the Union of India, are factually incorrect and bear no relationship to reality," India said in a statement.

Asserting that Pakistan is using terror to destabilise Kashmir, it said, "The foremost challenge to stability in Kashmir is the scourge of terrorism, which receives sustenance from Pakistan and the territories under Pakistan's control."

"Contrary to Pakistan's claims, and in gross violation of UN Security Council resolution 1267, the designated terrorist entities and organisations continue to carry out their activities freely as reported in the local Pakistani print, audio-visual and social media," it said.

India has handed over to Pakistan "concrete evidence" about its cross-border encouragement and support for the protests in Kashmir, it said.

"Instead of working with a sense of purpose to address this issue, Pakistan resorts to short-sighted tactics to divert attention, as we have once again seen today," it said.

"Pakistan keeps referring to UN Security Council Resolutions on Jammu and Kashmir. However, it very conveniently forgets its own obligation under these resolutions to first vacate the illegal occupation of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir," India said.

India also criticised Pakistan for "blatantly" disregarding its other commitments saying, "be it under the 1972 Simla Agreement, the 2004 joint declaration foreswearing terrorism as well as the understanding between our two Prime Ministers at Ufa in Russia".

"The people of Jammu and Kashmir have chosen and reaffirmed their destiny repeatedly through India's well- established democratic processes. Pakistan, on the other hand, has witnessed continuous degradation and weakening of its institutions," it said.

Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is administered by a "deep state" and has become an epicenter of terrorism, India said, adding that Pakistan's human rights record in PoK and Balochistan is equally deplorable.

"It has had no hesitation in using air power and artillery against its own people, not once but repeatedly over the years.

"It is high time for Pakistan to do some deep introspection. We would once again urge Pakistan to focus its energies on improving human rights situation and dismantling the terrorism infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK. This would go a long way in bringing peace and stability to the region and beyond," India said.