Imran Khan Asks PoK Residents Not To Join 'March To Srinagar', Warns India May 'Attack Across LoC'

Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on Saturday warned the residents of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) against crossing the Line of Control "to provide humanitarian aid or support" to the Kashmiris. He said that such an action "will play into the hands of the Indian narrative" and will give India an "excuse to attack across LoC".

"I understand the anguish of the Kashmiris in AJK seeing their fellow Kashmiris in IOJK under an inhumane curfew for over 2 months," he tweeted.

"But any one crossing the LoC from AJK to provide humanitarian aid or support for Kashmiri struggle will play into the hands of the Indian narrative - a narrative that tries to divert from the indigenous Kashmiris' struggle against brutal Indian Occupation by trying to label it as "Islamic terrorism" being driven by Pakistan."

"It will give India an excuse to increase violent oppression of Kashmiris in IOJK & attack across LoC," he added.

Khan's warning comes a day many residents from across PoK set out in vehicular and motorcycle rallies to Muzaffarabad on the call of pro-independence Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) to show solidarity with the Kashmiris. A JKLF spokesperson told Dawn news that the marchers would resume their rally towards Chakothi sector on Saturday.

"From Chakothi we will cross over the ceasefire line (LoC) for Srinagar," he said, expressing his desire for the administration and police not to create hindrances for them.

Indian Army has said that it was fully prepared to foil the Pakistan Army sponsored march. The aim of the march is to create disturbances over the Abrogation of Article 370. Sources said the Pakistan Army has also been warned against encouraging such marches.

India on Friday slammed Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan for giving an open call for 'jihad' against India, adding that it is a serious matter and not normal. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also called Pakistan's decision, to sponsor a march from PoK to LoC, a provocative and irresponsible step.