Do not indulge in 'polemics', says India after Pak rakes up Kashmir in UN

In her remarks, Pakistan's Lodhi said the "Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains a long-standing issue" on the agenda of the Council.

Pakistan's new government must not indulge in "polemics" but work to build a South Asian region free of terror and violence, India has said after Pakistan raked up the Kashmir issue at the UN Security Council.

India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin's remarks came during the UNSC debate on Mediation and Settlement of Disputes.

"I take this opportunity to remind - Pakistan - the one isolated delegation that made unwarranted references to an integral part of India, that pacific settlement requires pacific intent in thinking and pacific content in action," Akbaruddin said at the debate on Wednesday.

Pakistan's Ambassador Maleeha Lodhi raked up the Kashmir issue during the debate, drawing a sharp reaction from Akbaruddin who said Pakistan is "regurgitating a failed approach, which has long been rejected, is neither reflective of pacific intent nor a display of pacific content.

"We hope that the new government of Pakistan will, rather than indulge in polemics, work constructively to build a safe, stable, secure and developed South Asian region, free of terror and violence," Akbaruddin said, a reference to the government in Pakistan under newly-elected Prime Minister Imran Khan.

In her remarks, Lodhi said the "Jammu and Kashmir dispute remains a long-standing issue" on the agenda of the Council. She said through its various resolutions, the Security Council has provided that the final disposition of the State of Jammu and Kashmir will be made in accordance with the will of the people "expressed through the democratic method of a free and impartial plebiscite" conducted under the auspices of the United Nations.

She said the Security Council also instituted several mechanisms including the UN Commission on India and Pakistan (UNCIP), the deployment of the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) and the appointment of UN representatives.

"Sadly, these resolutions remain unimplemented to date. The international community cannot succeed in its efforts to strengthen conflict prevention and promote pacific dispute settlement if the Security Council's own resolutions are held in abeyance, by some.

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Indian forces kill 2 terrorists in Kashmir's Bandipora, encounter underway

The gun battle comes a day after the Centre decided not to extend its unilateral initiative of a month-long Ramzan ceasefire.

Ramzan ceasefire : Two militants were killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Bandipora district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday, the Army said.


The operation comes a day after the Centre announced its decision not to extend the ceasefire in the state.


An Army official said that security forces launched an anti-militancy operation in Bandipora district this morning following information about presence of militants in the area.


He said two militants have been killed so far even as the operation continues to be in progress.


The identity and group affiliation of the slain militants was not immediately known.


Security forces have adopted a proactive approach setting up check barriers at various places across the valley including the summer capital of the state.


Police and other security agencies were carrying out random checks of vehicles entering the city at various places.


The intensification in the area domination operations and checking of vehicles comes in the wake of significant rise in number of attacks on security forces in the city during the month of Ramzan.

Terrorists ignore Ramzan ceasefire, attack J&K Army camp and kill jawan

The attack on the Army camp comes barely two days after 5 terrorists were gunned down by security forces in a failed infiltration attempt along the LoC.

Terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) have clearly rejected the Indian government's gesture to cease operations in the state during the holy month of Ramzan, conducting their first strike since the announcement by attacking an Indian Army camp located in the Pulwama district of South Kashmir and killing an Army jawan and a civilian.
Police told news agencies that the terrorists attacked the 50 Rashtriya Rifles' camp on Sunday night at Kakapora in the Pulwama district. Authorities told news agencies that Army personnel retaliated to the firing unleashed by the terrorists.
The attack left a jawan seriously injured. Further, a civilian, who was identified as Bilal Ahmed, was also caught in the crossfire and left seriously injured. The duo, who were both rushed to a hospital, succumbed to their injuries.
In the wake of the attack, authorities are enforcing prohibitory orders in parts of Pulwama district.
Apart from this attack, news agencies reported on Monday that three Army personnel were injured in a blast, triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED), that occurred between the Sugan and Chillipora area of Kashmir's Shopian district. Subsequently, a cordon and search operation was launched.
Infiltration bid foiled
The attack on the Army camp and the IED blast come barely two days after five terrorists were gunned down on Saturday after security forces foiled an infiltration bid along the Line of Control in J&K's Tangdhar sector.
The infiltration attempt came hours after the Chief of Army Staff, General Bipin Rawat, called upon Pakistan to stop infiltration to establish peace along the border.
Ramzan ceasefire
The Centre on May 16 announced a ceasefire in J&K, directing the security forces to halt their operations during Ramzan to help "peace-loving Muslims" observe the holy month in a peaceful environment.
The ceasefire is reminiscent of a similar initiative that was announced in 2000 by then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. It came just two days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to visit Jammu to inaugurate development projects and address the sixth convocation of a University in the state's winter capital.

According to a statement by the Union Home Ministry, security forces have been told not to launch operations in Jammu and Kashmir during the holy month. However, the statement also said that the forces would reserve the right to retaliate if attacked or if it was essential to protect the lives of innocent people.