India squarely blamed Pakistan's oppressive approach and systemic plundering of resources for the unrest that has gripped Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, leaving 12 dead and over 150 injured.

In its first remarks on the fresh turmoil in its neighbourhood, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the brutality by Pakistani forces on civilians in POK and reinforced its claim that the territory was under Pakistan's "forcible" and "illegal occupation".

"We have seen reports of protests in several areas of Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir, including brutalities by Pakistani forces on innocent civilians," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said.

"We believe that it is a natural consequence of Pakistan’s oppressive approach and systemic plundering of resources from these territories... Pakis

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