Pulwama attack a 'matter of grave concern': Pakistan

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's Foreign Office has expressed grave concern on the attack in Pulwama district of Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, the Radio Pakistan reported on Friday.

In a statement, FO Spokesperson Dr Faisal said "we have always condemned heightened acts of violence in the Valley".

https://twitter.com/ForeignOfficePk/status/1096129410468581376

The spokesperson also strongly rejected the insinuation by elements in the Indian government and media circles that seek to link the attack to Pakistan without investigations.

At least 44 Indian paramilitary police personnel were killed and many others injured when their convoy was targeted with a car bomb at Awantipora in Indian controlled Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Thursday, in what is being called the worst ever attack on Indian security personnel in the occupied state.

https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/at-least-18-indian-soldiers-killed-in-held-kashmir-bomb-blast/

Indian police said that a car filled with explosives rammed a bus carrying the officers to Srinagar, the capital of Indian-administered Kashmir.

Pakistan and India each claim the divided territory of Kashmir in its entirety. Most Kashmiris support the rebel cause that the territory be united either under Pakistani rule or as an independent country while also participating in civilian street protests against Indian control.

India, which has deployed over 500,000 troops in the tiny Muslim-majority region, accuses Pakistan of arming and training the rebels, a charge Pakistan denies.

Nearly 100,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown.