Lahore: Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has defended the firing and killing of protesters in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), saying he considers them “enemies” like India.
“I put the protesters of Azad Kashmir in the same category as India and consider them also as enemies like India,” Asif said after India accused Pakistan of oppression and brutality against civilians following fresh reports of firing by Pakistani security forces.
With law and order situation having collapsed in PoJK, around 30 people have been killed since Monday. At least 12 civilians lost their lives and 50 others were injured in Mirpur on Tuesday after security forces opened direct fire on protesters.
Eyewitnesses narrated disturbing scenes, saying the streets were filled with bodies, and injured civilians lying across different areas.
Local residents were had to carry the wounded on their shoulders as there weren’t enough ambulances available.
Since protests began on June 5 and Pakistani military’s crackdown, more than 80 people have been killed in PoJK.
Some of the witnesses appealed to the international media to report on the situation. “Blood of Kashmiris is on the roads,” they said.
India issued a fresh statement on Tuesday criticising Pakistani military over the reported firing on civilians. New Delhi also described the elections in the region as a cosmetic measure.
