India, Pakistan should withdraw troops and have a referendum on Kashmiri: Separatist

As war of words continue between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, separatist leader Maheem Khan asserted that if India is so confident about what the people in Kashmir want, both the neighbouring countries should withdraw troops from the disputed territory and let the people decide for themselves.

"If India is really serious about the resolution of the Kashmir issue, let India and Pakistan both withdraw their military from Kashmir. They are only trying to score points," he said.

He challenged both the countries to step back and hold a referendum in Kashmir. "Nawaz Sharif yesterday pleaded right to self determination of Kashmiris and India is responding. If India is really serious, why are they afraid of holding a free and fair referendum in Kashmir," he asked.

He also blamed India for delaying the process of solving the Kashmir issue. "It is basically India's obduracy that's responsible for the confusion in the subcontinent, the delaying of the resolution of the Kashmir issue," he claimed.

Raking up the Kashmir issue, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday said the non-resolution of the issue reflected failure of the UN and proposed a 4-point "peace initiative" which includes demilitarisation of Kashmir and unconditional withdrawal of forces from Siachen.

Addressing the UN General Assembly, he also proposed restraint by both countries from "use or the threat of use of force under any circumstances" and formalisation of the 2003 border ceasefire as part of the formula to ensure peaceful ties between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

In a stinging reply, India called for Pakistan to end cross border terrorism and vacate the illegally occupied areas of Jammu and Kashmir. Calling Pakistan "a victim of its own policies of breeding and sponsoring terrorists", India pointed out that claims of domestic discontent in Jammu & Kashmir carries no credibility with the world.

While replying to Sharif's charge that India indulges in ceasefire violations, India accused Pakistan of having its hand behind such acts as keeps on providing cover to terrorists crossing the border.