India Rebukes ‘New York Times’ For Calling PoJK ‘Pakistani Kashmir’

NEW DELHI, July 30: India has objected to a report by The New York Times over its reference to Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) as “Pakistani Kashmir”, calling the terminology “misleading and incorrect”.

The Indian Embassy in the US raised the objection after the newspaper published a report headlined, “Clashes Erupt in Pakistani Kashmir as Voting in Local Election Begins,” in connection with violence in PoJK during local elections.

“Misleading and incorrect headline by @nytimes. There is no Pakistani Kashmir, only Pakistan-occupied Kashmir,” the embassy said in a post on X.

The embassy reiterated that the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh have been, are and will always remain integral and inalienable parts of India. It alleged that Pakistan has illegally occupied parts of these territories and is using violence against the people living there.

India has consistently maintained that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of the country and that Pakistan remains in “illegal and forcible occupation” of parts of these territories.

Earlier this month, New Delhi said protests in PoJK were a direct consequence of Islamabad’s alleged “systemic exploitation and administrative oppression” in areas under its forcible occupation and criticised reports of police brutality against protesters.

The NYT report concerned violent clashes in the Mirpur area, where police confronted members of a civil rights group protesting alleged police violence. The report described the region as “Pakistani-administered Kashmir” and cited the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan’s call for an immediate end to the violence and an independent investigation into reported deaths and injuries.

According to reports, more than 30 civilians were killed and over 33 injured during a crackdown by Pakistani security forces on protesters in PoJK. The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has been leading demonstrations over rising living costs, alleged administrative apathy and political discrimination.

The protests have continued amid local body elections, with the JAAC organising a long march from Rawalakote to Muzaffarabad. Among those reportedly killed was Usman Nazir, brother of JAAC Central Committee member Umar Nazir.

New Delhi on Tuesday also described the elections in PoJK as an attempt by Islamabad to camouflage its “illegal occupation” and conceal alleged human rights violations in the region. (Agencies)