Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan delivers a statement in Islamabad, Pakistan, February 19, 2019. /VCG Photo
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan vowed Tuesday to challenge at the UN Security Council India's decision to strip Kashmir of its special autonomy, and demanded action from the international community as tensions soared between the nuclear-armed rivals.
Khan gave a forceful rebuke of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision Monday to scrap the special status granted to the Indian-ruled part of Kashmir from India's constitution in front of a joint-session of parliament in Islamabad.
"I want to make it clear that we will fight this issue on every forum, (including) at the UN Security Council," said Khan, who also promised to take the matter to the International Criminal Court.
Khan demanded action from the global community as he accused Modi of blatantly violating international law in pursuit of an anti-Muslim agenda in India.
"If the world does not act today... [if] the developed world does not uphold its own laws, then things will go to a place that we will not be responsible for," Khan added.
A Pakistani Kashmiri holds a placard during an anti-Indian protest in Islamabad, Pakistan, as they denounce the ongoing unrest in Indian-controlled Kashmir, August 5, 2019. /VCG Photo
The prime minister's remarks came shortly after Pakistan's military announced it will "go to any extent" to support people in Kashmir.
After a meeting with top commanders in the city of Rawalpindi, Pakistan's army chief expressed support for the people of Kashmir.
"The Pakistan(i) Army firmly stands by the Kashmiris in their just struggle to the very end," said General Qamar Javed Bajwa. "We are prepared and shall go to any extent to fulfill our obligations in this regard."
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Newspapers with headlines about Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to revoke special status for the disputed Kashmir region, in Ahmedabad, India, August 6, 2019. /VCG Photo
Since independence from Britain in 1947, India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir, which is divided between the two but claimed by each in its entirety.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying expressed Beijing's "serious concern" over the situation in Kashmir on Tuesday.
Calling the Kashmir issue an "issue left over by history between India and Pakistan," Hua called on relevant parties to avoid unilateral moves that would change the status quo and escalate tensions.
She urged both countries to resolve their disputes peacefully through dialogue and consultation.
(With input from agencies)