Country tells Pakistan not to meddle in affairs

A diplomatic spat between India and Pakistan has erupted over the unrest in Kashmir, where 32 people have died in four days of protests and clashes as of Tuesday.

The violence began after Indian forces shot and killed Burhan Wani, a top militant leader, along with two other rebels on Friday.

Pakistan Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, condemned the civilian killings while describing Wani, 22, a commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen group, as a "Kashmiri leader."

Meanwhile, Indian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Vikas Swarup, said in New Delhi that the statement reflected Pakistan's "continued attachment to terrorism and its usage as an instrument of state policy."

He said Pakistan was advised and warned to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of its neighbours.

Swarup said government had accused Pakistan of sheltering rebels and helping them cross over to carry out attacks on Indian soil.

He said even though Islamabad said that it only provided only diplomatic and political support to the people of Kashmir.

The Himalayan region is divided between Pakistan and India, but both claim the entire area and have fought two wars over it since 1947.

Kashmir is a Muslim-majority area and has been gripped by a secessionist movement since the 1980s.

Nearly 44,000 people have been killed in violence related to militancy in the region.

Officials said that a total of 31 civilians and a policeman have been killed in the latest clashes in Kashmir valley, where random protests were being reported despite strict curfew restrictions.

He said that it has been the worst civilian unrest to hit the region since 2010, when 110 people were killed in anti-India protests after Indian police shot dead a teenager.

He added that more than 400 people including 100 security officials had been injured, and the death toll could rise further.

Senior Minister, Jitendra Singh, said that the Premier, Narendra Modi, held a high-level meeting to review the security situation in Kashmir and appealed to people there to maintain peace.