Islamabad: Pakistan on Tuesday described as "completely unjustified" the US' designation of Hizbul Mujahideen leader Syed Salahuddin as a global terrorist and said it will continue its "political, diplomatic and moral support for ... the Kashmiri people".
The Foreign Ministry said the "indigenous struggle of Kashmiris" in Jammu and Kashmir "remains legitimate. The designation of individuals supporting the Kashmiri right to self-determination as terrorists is completely unjustified".
A ministry spokesman made no reference by name to the Pakistan-based Salahuddin, who was on Monday -- just ahead of the meeting in Washington between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- designated by the State Department as a global terrorist.
The spokesman said Pakistan had demonstrated its "long-standing commitment of combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations".
The spokesman came out strongly in support of the separatist campaign in Jammu and Kashmir which has left thousands dead since 1989. India says the separatists are armed, funded and trained by Pakistan, a charge Islamabad denies.
Accusing the Indian security forces and the government of unleashing terror in Jammu and Kashmir, the statement said "the Kashmiris remain undeterred and unbowed.
"Pakistan shall continue to extend political, diplomatic and moral support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for the realization of the right to self-determination and the peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with UN Security Council Resolutions."
The Foreign Ministry said the "indigenous struggle of Kashmiris" in Jammu and Kashmir "remains legitimate. The designation of individuals supporting the Kashmiri right to self-determination as terrorists is completely unjustified".
The spokesman said Pakistan had demonstrated its "long-standing commitment of combating terrorism in all its forms and manifestations".
Advertisement
Accusing the Indian security forces and the government of unleashing terror in Jammu and Kashmir, the statement said "the Kashmiris remain undeterred and unbowed.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Properties Of Hizbul Chief's 2 Sons Attached By Anti-Terror Agency Jammu And Kashmir Government Sacks Hizbul Chief Syed Salahuddin's Son, 3 Others Wanted Terrorist's Sons, 9 Others Sacked From Government Jobs In J&K Student Arrested For Controversial Post On Mamata Banerjee Malala Yousafzai's Post On Taliban After Attending Taylor Swift Concert What Murdered Doctor's Father Said About A Torn Page From Her Diary What Is Lateral Entry In Bureaucracy That Triggered BJP vs Congress Debate "In 40 Years Did Nothing Wrong": Under-Fire Siddaramaiah In Land Scam Case Zomato Calls Blinkit "Adopted Sis". Gets A Cheeky Response Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.