Activists protest outside Pakistan mission in US over Balochistan conflict

Baloch nationalists -- along with the Indian-American community members -- staged a protest outside Pakistan’s Consulate here against state-sponsored terrorism.

Holding placards and shouting slogans against Pakistan for human rights violations, abduction and killings of civilians and rape of women, protestors condemned the recent “dastardly and cowardly act of Pakistan-sponsored terrorist attack” in Uri.

Many protesters, mostly American Friends of Balochistan activists and Indian-Americans, carried placards highlighting the oppression of minorities, women and children in Pakistan and urged the US government to stop funding Pakistan.

A placard held by a soldier described Pakistan as the “Ivy League of Terrorism”.

Two days ago, first secretary in the permanent mission of India to the UN, Eenam Gambhir, had said that the land of Taxila, one of the learning centres of ancient times, “is now host to the Ivy league of terrorism” and attracts aspirants and apprentices from all over the world.

The protest event ended with the gathering singing the national anthems of the US and India.

“The attack was carried out by banned terror group Jaish- e-Mohammed with the active support of Pakistani army and ISI, it is high time that those at helm consider it as an act of war by Pakistan against India,” activist Achalesh Amar said.

The protest came after Congressman Ted Poe, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Terrorism, along with Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, introduced a bill in the US House of Representatives to designate Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism.

“It is time we stop paying Pakistan for its betrayal and designate it for what it is, a state sponsor of terrorism,” Congressman Poe had said after introducing the bill.

18 soldiers were killed when militants attacked an army camp in Uri in Kashmir on Sunday morning.