India-Pakistan Relations: PAK PM Shahid Khaqan Abbasi Accuses of Launching 'Brutal Crackdown' in Kashmir

Islamabad, Apr 2: Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has accused India of launching a "brutal crackdown" in Kashmir after terror groups suffered a major setback following the killing of 13 terrorists in counter-insurgency operations.

Abbasi's statement late last night came after Indian security forces on Sunday gunned down 13 militants in three counter-insurgency operations that also claimed the lives of three Army jawans and four civilians in Anantnag and Shopian districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

"The brutal crackdown, including the despicable use of pellet guns on civilians who were protesting against the killing, is deplorable," Abbasi said.

He also asked the international community to urge India to allow access to fact-finding missions of the UN to Kashmir.

Yesterday's operations by the Indian security forces have rendered a severe blow to terror groups such as the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Lashkar-e-Taiba.

Pakistan's Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa in a brief statement said today that Indian security forces cannot suppress the "indigenous" struggle of Kashmiris for self-determination.

Later, Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said that Pakistan government will send envoys to different countries to brief them about the situation in Kashmir.

Addressing a press conference after briefing the Cabinet over developments in Kashmir, Asif said that he also held talks with foreign ministers of Turkey and Iran.

Earlier, the Cabinet at a special meeting with the prime minister in the chair passed a resolution to condemn what it called the killing of "innocent people" in Kashmir.