India blames Pakistan for rise of tension in Kashmir

India blamed Pakistan Friday for the rise of tension in Indian-controlled Kashmir as pressure mounts on New Delhi to cool down the situation.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said there was plenty of proof to show that the government in Islamabad was causing unrest in the disputed Himalayan region.

"The root cause of unrest in Kashmir is cross-border terrorism which is being encouraged by our neighboring country," the Indian premier said.

India's lower house of parliament on Friday urged the Modi administration to restore peace in Kashmir.

Modi, who leads the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which has long advocated a tough stance against the decades-long pro-independence movement in Indian-controlled Kashmir, told a meeting of party leaders in New Delhi that now was not the time to send negotiators and that there must be no compromise on national security.

Clashes erupted in Kashmir on July 8, when people protested against the killing of Burhan Wani, a popular pro-independence fighter at the hand of Indian forces.

Indian authorities expanded the curfew Friday to areas across the disputed region in an effort aimed at blocking a march by pro-independence activists.

SS