Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on July 15 vowed that his country will continue giving political, moral, and diplomatic support to Kashmiris in the midst of widespread anti-India protests and clashes across the India-administered region.
In a statement, Sharif asked Pakistanis to observe what he called “black day” of mourning on July 19 to express solidarity with residents of the Muslim-majority region who were, in his words, “facing atrocities at the hands of Indian forces.”
India's External Affairs Ministry responded angrily to Sharif’s remarks, asking Pakistan to desist from interfering in India's internal affairs and destabilizing the situation in South Asia with support for terrorism and other subversive acts.
A statement from the Indian ministry said: "Glorification of terrorists belonging to proscribed terrorist organizations makes it amply clear where Pakistan's sympathies continue to lie."
Despite a lockdown in place for seven days, protests and violent clashes continued in Himalayan region after Friday prayers on July 15.
Dozens of people have been killed in the violence at protests that began after Indian security officials on July 8 killed Burhan Muzaffar Wani, a commander of the banned militant group Hizbul Mujahideen, on July 8.
Based on reporting by Reuters, AP, and AFP