India slams Pakistan for glorifying Burhan Wani

New Delhi [India], July 9 (ANI): India on Sunday hit back at Pakistan for glorifying Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, saying that Islambad's terror support and sponsorship needs to be condemned by all.

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Gopal Baglay in a series of tweets said that first it was the Pakistan's foreign Office which read from banned Lashkar-e-Taiba's script, and now it's their army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa who was glorifying a Wani, who was killed by Indian security forces last year on July 8 in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag district.

In a move that could potentially escalate tensions in its already strained bilateral ties with India, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday paid tribute to Wani saying his death "infused a new spirit in the struggle for freedom" in the Valley.

According to Dunya News, Sharif reiterated that Pakistan remains shoulder to shoulder with their Kashmiri brethren and will continue their political, diplomatic and moral support in their right to self-determination.

Last year, India had criticised Sharif calling Wani a 'martyr'.

General Bajwa had also praised Burhan Wani, saying, "Sacrifices of Burhan Wani and generations against Indian atrocities are a testimony of their resolve."

Widespread protests erupted in the Kashmir valley after Wani's death and curfew was imposed for consecutive 53 days. However, the unrest continued for about five months after Wani's death in which 78 people, including two police personnel, were killed. (ANI)

This story has not been edited. It has been published as provided by ANI