Pakistan defends groups fighting against Indian forces in Kashmir

Pakistan has defended separatist groups fighting against New Delhi's forces in Indian-administrated Kashmir.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the struggle by the separatist groups against the Indian rule was "legitimate."

"The 70-year-old indigenous struggle of Kashmiris in the Indian occupied Jammu and Kashmir remains legitimate. The designation of individuals supporting the Kashmiri right to self-determination as terrorists is completely unjustified," the statement said.

The US Department of State has designated Syed Salahuddin, the head of the Hizbul Mujahideen, a pro-independence group, as a so-called Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

Nafees Zakaria, the spokesman for Pakistan's foreign office, also said, "The designation of individuals supporting the Kashmiri right to self-determination as terrorists is completely unjustified." 

Salahuddin, who is from the town of Badgam in Indian-controlled Kashmir, was a politician who turned to armed struggle after he lost an election for the Kashmir legislative assembly in 1987, which he says was "massively rigged" by India.

Washington's decision came just days before Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the White House for his first talks with US President Donald Trump.

At the talks on Monday, Trump and Modi called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory was not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries.

SS