OIC concerned over Kashmir, 'additional paramilitary forces & use of banned cluster munition'

JEDDAH: The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said Sunday it was "deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in the Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir" and New Delhi's move to deploy more troops and use cluster bombs as tensions with Pakistan ratcheted and Islamabad's top brass met to assess the security situation.

In a statement published on its official Twitter account, the OIC's General Secretariat also mentioned "reports of deployment of additional paramilitary forces & use of banned cluster munition by Indian forces to target civilians".

It said it was "saddened to learn about the civilian casualties resulting from ceasefire violations carried out by #Indian forces across the Line of Control and expresses solidarity with the people of Indian occupied Jammu and #Kashmir.

"The OIC reiterates its call upon the international community to rise up to its responsibility for the peaceful resolution of Jammu and #Kashmir dispute through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions," the OIC's statement added.

PM Imran convenes NSC meeting

Pakistan to effectively respond to any Indian aggression: PM Imran after NSC meeting

Pakistan's strategy to effectively respond to India's aggression and provocation readied during NSC meeting as security situation was assessed

Pakistan will effectively respond to any type of aggression or provocation from India with its people's support, Prime Minister Imran Khan said after a meeting of the National Security Council's (NSC) concluded.

The NSC meeting was convened earlier in the day by PM Imran to discuss issues pertaining to the national security in the wake of cluster bomb attack carried out by India against civilians in Neelum Valley, a notification read, adding that a strategy was readied to effectively respond to provocation by India.

The top brass of Pakistan's military and government were in attendance in the NSC meeting, wherein the heightening tensions following the deteriorating situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK) were pondered upon.

The NSC, the notification added, noted that India's actions in the region were contributing to worsening the conditions. Its motives were revealed in terms of internal and foreign affairs and a panicked New Delhi may come up with dangerous options to hide its failures, it read.

India is also targetting civilians areas with cluster bombs to provoke Pakistan, it added.

FM Qureshi asks OIC chief to take notice

Pakistan would always stand strong with the Kashmiri people and would never leave them alone. It desires the Kashmir issue be resolved in line with the United Nations (UN) resolutions and in accordance with the wishes of the Kashmiri people.

Earlier in the day, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi had asked the OIC to take immediate notice of a renewed spate of atrocities in the IoK.

In a telephonic conversation with OIC Secretary-General Dr Yousuf Ahmed Al-Othaimeen, Qureshi condemned India's use of brute force on unarmed Kashmiris and said New Delhi was violating international laws with its aggression and violence against the Kashmiris.

The foreign minister further said the orders issued by the Indian government to Hindu Yatrees and tourists to leave Kashmir were also generating anxiety and fear in the region.

In response, Dr Al-Othaimeen assured Qureshi of his full cooperation in mitigating the situation.