'No Pakistani Kashmir': India Slams New York Times Over 'Misleading' PoK Headline

New Delhi: India strongly objected to the headline of a news report in the 'New York Times' as misleading and wrong and said that there is no such thing as 'Pakistani Kashmir'. The Indian Embassy in the US termed the headline as "misleading and incorrect."

What did the Indian Embassy say?

The news report published in the 'New York Times' was based on the ongoing violent clashes in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The Indian Embassy in a post on X said that, "Misleading and incorrect headline by New York Times. There is no Pakistani Kashmir, only Pakistan occupied Kashmir."

The embassy said the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have always been, are and will remain an integral and inalienable part of India. 

"The Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, have been, are and will always remain an integral and inalienable part of India. Pakistan has illegally occupied parts of these territories and is now using violence against the occupied people," the Indian embassy said.

What is there in the report?

Citing local officials, the New York Times reported that at least 30 people have been killed in the violent clashes that began in June. The report said violence erupted in Mirpur after security forces clashed with members of the Joint Awami Action Committee, a civil rights group protesting against alleged police excesses in the region.

The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a coalition of several social and political organizations, has been staging ongoing protests over the 12 disputed seats in the so-called PoK assembly. 

The JAAC alleged that the ruling establishment uses these seats to install a person of its choice as Prime Minister. 

What about the protest?

Over 30 civilians have been killed and over 33 injured in the brutal crackdown by Pakistani security forces against protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) over the past two days, according to reports. The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) is spearheading these protests amid local body elections in PoK.

Large-scale protests have been taking place in PoK since last month against inflation, administrative apathy, political discrimination and alleged atrocities against minorities.

What did India say?

India on Tuesday described the local body elections being held in PoK as an attempt by Pakistan to cover up its illegal occupation and grave human rights violations in the region.

Sources said Pakistani security forces used lethal force against protesters during the JAAC's "long march" from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad.