Pakistan rejects India ‘proxy war’ accusations

Pakistan has rejected as “baseless rhetoric” recent claims by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that Islamabad is involved in “a proxy war of terrorism” against India in the disputed Kashmir region.

On Wednesday, the Pakistani Foreign Ministry said Modi was “repeating baseless rhetoric against Pakistan.”

“The press reports of Indian accusations, at the highest political level, are most unfortunate,” the statement said.

“It would be in the larger interest of the regional peace that instead of engaging in a blame game, the two countries should focus on resolving all issues through dialogue and work together to promote friendly and cooperative relations.”

Modi made the accusation against Pakistan during his visit to Kashmir on August 12, following an exchange of accusations over ceasefire violations by both sides.

Earlier this week, India said two of its border guards and two civilians had been injured in Pakistani fire in Arina sector. Islamabad also accused India of killing a woman and injuring two others in Charwah sector near Sialkot.

India and Pakistan have been involved in a territorial dispute over Kashmir for the past 60 years. The two neighbors have fought three wars since their independence from Britain in 1947 – two of them over Kashmir.

An incursion in Kargil by the Pakistani army triggered fighting between the two sides 15 years ago. The conflict left over 1,000 people dead.