Pakistan incursions provocative: India

India’s defense minister has described as “extremely serious and provocative” the “incursions” of Pakistani forces in the contested Kashmir region which have led to clashed between the two sides. 

Arun Jaitley said on Saturday that the recent clashes were not conducive to improve ties between the neighboring countries.

The unrest came about two weeks after India cancelled top level diplomatic negotiations with Pakistan in protest against Islamabad’s meetings with pro-independence leaders from the disputed region of Kashmir.

Several people, including soldiers, have been killed in clashes along the Line of Control (LoC) that divides Indian- and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, which has intensified in recent weeks.

“The incursions taking place at the border both at the LoC and at the international border are extremely serious and provocative,” the Indian defense minister said, adding, “These are creating an environment, which is not being conducive to the relationship of the two countries.”

Islamabad and New Delhi have fought two wars over Kashmir since their independence from British colonial rule in 1947. The archrivals lay claim over the whole region but control parts of it.

India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along the Line of Control in 2003, and a year later launched talks aimed at brokering a regional peace.

The process was however suspended after over 160 people lost their lives in the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks, which New Delhi blamed on Pakistan-based militants.

SAB/HMV