Islamabad/SRINAGAR - Pakistan yesterday formally invited India for talks over the Kashmir dispute as the occupant forces in the held territory have crossed all limits of human rights violations.

At least nine people were killed Monday in fierce clashes between protesters and Indian troops across the Kashmir valley on Indian Independence Day despite the authorities imposing a round-the-clock curfew and snapping of mobile and internet services.

Dozens of civilians, mostly young men, have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces, and thousands more injured in the region’s worst violence since 2010.

Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and across the world observed India’s Independence Day as Black Day to convey the message to the world that India has illegally occupied their homeland.

Root of conflicts

Pakistan yesterday said that the Kashmir issue was the root of the conflicts present between the two neighbours and emphasised upon seeking the solution of the issue through meaningful and purposeful dialogue.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry invited his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar to Islamabad for a ‘meaningful dialogue over the Kashmir issue’ at a meeting with Indian High Commissioner in Pakistan Gautam Bambawale here.

Chaudhry, in a letter handed over to Indian HC, reminded Indian Foreign Affairs secretary that tracing out the solution of Kashmir issue was obligation of both countries according to the resolutions of the UN.

Unfinished agenda

Almost simultaneously, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called Kashmir an unfinished agenda of the United Nations. In a meeting here with PML-N presidential candidate for AJK Masood Khan, PM Sharif said the UN must intervene to resolve this issue.

LoC violations

Officials said the foreign secretary in his meeting with Indian HC also asked him to convey Pak concerns over the LoC ceasefire violations by India.

Indian forces resorted to firing near Rawalkot’s Neza Pir sector over the weekend, prompting response from Pak troops.

Black Day

Indian Independence Day was observed as Black Day on both sides of LoC by holding pro-freedom and anti-India rallies and protests.

Despite curfew and other restrictions, the people of IHK marked the day with protest demonstrations, KMS reported.

There was complete strike in the territory, call for which had been jointly given by the Hurriyet leaders Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Yasin Malik and others. All markets were shut and roads wore a deserted look.

The authorities had converted the entire territory into a garrison. Srinagar city, where the main function of India’s Independence Day was held amid the multi-tier security cover, remained reduced to a ghost town.

Ex-FM opposes Modi

Former foreign minister and Senior Congress leader Salman Khurshid on Monday disagreed with PM Narendra Modi’s point of view on Balochistan, advising him to not interfere in Pakistan’s internal matters.

Khurshid said Balochistan is different from any part of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and India’s right and entitlement was limited to Kashmir.