Amid escalating tensions in Indian-held Kashmir, a UN spokesman Monday reiterated Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's call for a peaceful resolution of the situation in the disputed region. Responding to questions from Pakistani journalists at the regular noon briefing, Associate Spokesman Farhan Haq said the UN chief had repeatedly stressed the need on all parties to work constructively to address all concerns through peaceful means.
Pressed further, Farhan Haq drew attention to the July 12 statement of the secretary-general which was issued by his spokesman Stephan Dujarric. That statement had said, "The Secretary-General is closely following the recent clashes in Kashmir. He regrets the reported loss of dozens of lives and the injuries to many others. He calls on all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid further violence and hopes that all concerns would be addressed through peaceful means."
Widespread protests erupted in Indian occupied Kashmir in the wake of the killing by Indian troops of popular Kashmiri youth leader Burhan Wani. Resorting to brutal tactics, Indian security forces have killed over 50 Kashmiri civilians and wounding about 5,000 more.
In the wake of the unrest, Pakistan's Ambassador to the United Nations Maleeha Lodhi briefed the UN Security Council President for July, Ambassador Koro Bessho of Japan, and top UN officials on the deteriorating situation in Kashmir and called for an end to impunity and brutal repression of innocent civilians by occupation forces.
In a series of meetings, including with UN Secretary-General's chief of Staff Edmond Mulet and Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, as well as in her address to the General Assembly, the Pakistani envoy underscored the need for fulfilling the right to self-determination to the people of Kashmir and justice for victims of such heavy handed Indian tactics.