Pakistan dedicates its D-Day to Kashmir's freedom
On the occasion of the 70th Independence Day of Pakistan, PM Nawaz Sharif dedicated the day "to Kashmir's freedom". In India,Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit reiterated the same resolve and said that Pakistan will "extend full diplomatic, political and moral support to the people" of Kashmir. The comments came after India turned down Pakistan's offer for a dialogue.
PM's tough stance on Pakistan
In an all-party meeting, PM Modi highlighted the fact that Pakistan's own human rights violations were killing civilians in PoK and Baluchistan. The Union government also restated that while there will be efforts to bring peace to the Kashmir valley, there would be no compromise on security. Modi blamed cross-border terrorism by Pakistan as the root cause of turbulence in Kashmir.
Pakistan marks Independence Day by violating ceasefire
While Pakistan geared up to celebrate its Independence Day, the borders saw a different kind of fireworks. The LOC in the border district of Poonch saw the commencement of unprovoked firing by Pakistan's army on Indian military posts Security examiners declared the firing a significant ceasefire breach. The firing of heavy mortar and automatic weapon fire comes after 4 month's lull.
Exchange of sweets
The Pakistani Rangers offered sweets to their Indian counterparts to celebrate the Pakistani Independence Day. It remains to be seen if India reciprocates the gesture after the Poonch firing.
Congress condemns Basit's declaration
Congress strongly condemned Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit dedicating Pakistan's Independence Day to the "freedom of Kashmir". Congress demanded an apology and also trained guns on the Modi government saying the "56 inch" government has floundered in its attempts to isolate Islamabad. Congress demanded that interaction with Pakistan be severed unless the 'official declaration' that it termed as "breach of diplomatic etiquette" was withdrawn.
