The Hindu : Pak. rejects charge

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, May 23, 2002

International

International

Pak. rejects charge

By B. Muralidhar Reddy

ISLAMABAD May 22 . Pakistan today rejected what it termed the `despicable attempt' by some Indian leaders to blame Pakistan for the assassination of Abdul Gani Lone and called for an `impartial inquiry' into the act of terrorism. In a statement here, the Pakistan Foreign Ministry said the ``deceitful and hypocritical Indian tactic of accusing Pakistan for anything that goes wrong in India has become far too familiar''.

``It is time the Indian leadership started taking responsibility for what happens in areas under the control — no matter how illegitimate — of the Indian government. The ease with which Mr. Abdul Gani Lone was assassinated in a city bristling with police and security personnel, raises strong suspicion of official complicity in his assassination'', it said.

The statement said that only a few weeks ago Mr. Lone was attacked by a Shiv Sainik in Jammu in the presence of security personnel who offered no protection to him. ``In Mr. Lone's martyrdom Kashmir has lost one of its most astute and illustrious sons. His commitment and contribution to the Kashmiri freedom struggle will be long remembered and will serve as a source of inspiration for future Kashmiri generations'', the statement said.

In a condolence message addressed to Sajjad Ahmad Lone, elder son of Abdul Gani Lone, the Pakistan President, Pervez Musharraf, said, ``Dear Mr. Sajjad Ahmad Lone, I was deeply shocked to learn about the cold-blooded and tragic murder of your distinguished father, Mr. Abdul Gani Lone.''

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