Take steps to prevent escalation of tensions in disputed Kashmir, Pakistan asks US

A masked Kashmiri protester jumps on an armored Indian police vehicle while throwing stones during a protest in Srinagar on May 31, 2019. (AP)

• Pakistani foreign secretary holds virtual consultation with Ambassador David Hale, US Under Secretary for Political Affairs at State Department
• Sohail Mahmood says US should “facilitate peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute”

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Foreign Secretary Sohail Mahmood on Tuesday spoke with Ambassador David Hale, US Under Secretary for Political Affairs at the State Department, and stressed the need for the US to take steps for the peaceful resolution of the Kashmir conflict.
Mahmood and Hale held a virtual meeting which mainly reviewed the Pakistan-US bilateral relationship.
On August 5, 2019, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi split the state of Jammu and Kashmir into two federally controlled territories and took away its special privileges, saying this was necessary to better integrate the region with the rest of India.
New Delhi flooded troops into the Muslim-majority Kashmir valley, where insurgents have fought since the 1990s. India detained thousands, imposed harsh movement restrictions and forced a communications blackout, that largely remains. 
“The Foreign Secretary highlighted India’s illegal and unilateral action of 5 August 2019 and its aftermath, focusing in particular on massive human rights violations ... attempts to change the demographic structure of the occupied territory, and intensified ceasefire violations along the LoC [Line of Control],” a statement from the Pakistani foreign office said.
“He underlined that India’s continuing military siege ... and its aggressive posturing against Pakistan posed a threat to peace and security. It was imperative to take steps to prevent escalation of tensions and to facilitate peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.”
Ambassador of Pakistan in Washington Asad Majeed Khan and US Charge’d Affairs in Islamabad, Ambassador Paul Jones, as well as other senior officials from both sides, also attended the virtual consultation.