India Rebukes US Media Reports Over 'Misleading' PoK Headline (Img: X)
New Delhi: India has strongly objected to a recent report by The New York Times that referred to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as "Pakistani Kashmir", calling the description inaccurate and inconsistent with India's longstanding position on the region.
The Indian Embassy in Washington responded through a post on X, stating that there is "no Pakistani Kashmir, only Pakistan-occupied Kashmir." The mission reiterated that the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh remain an integral and inalienable part of India.
The embassy also said Pakistan continues to illegally occupy parts of these territories and accused Islamabad of using violence against people living in the occupied region.
India's reaction came after The New York Times published a report on unrest and local body elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The report highlighted clashes in Mirpur, where members of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) reportedly protested against alleged police excesses, leading to violent confrontations with security forces.
India has consistently maintained that the entire region of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir legally belongs to India. Officials have repeatedly rejected terminology that appears to legitimise Pakistan's control over parts of the territory.
Also Read: Khawaja Asif Calls PoK Protesters ‘Enemies Like India’ After Deadly Crackdown
According to government sources, more than 30 civilians have been killed and over 33 others injured during recent protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The demonstrations, led by the Joint Awami Action Committee, have centred on issues including rising prices, governance concerns and alleged human rights violations.
Earlier this week, India also dismissed the ongoing local elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as an attempt by Islamabad to legitimise what New Delhi describes as its illegal occupation of the territory.
