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Alleging India's complicity in the murder of Abdul Gani Lone, Pakistan on Wednesday described charges of its involvement in the killing of the All Party Hurriyat Conference leader as "despicable".
"The Government of Pakistan rejects the despicable attempt by some Indian leaders to blame Pakistan for the murder of Abdul Gani Lone. By now the deceitful and hypocritical Indian tactic of accusing Pakistan for anything that goes wrong in India has become far too familiar," a foreign office statement said.
"It is time that the Indian leadership started taking responsibility for what happens in areas under the control, no matter how illegitimate, of the Indian government," it said.
The statement said the ease with which Lone was killed in the presence of police and security personnel in Srinagar "raises strong suspicion of official complicity in his assassination".
It said only a few weeks ago, a Shiv Sainik attacked Lone in Jammu in the presence of security personnel who offered no protection to him.
"In 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 Kashmir generations. The Government of Pakistan calls for an impartial inquiry into this heinous act of terrorism," it said.
In a message to Sajjad Lone, the son of Abdul Gani Lone, President Pervez Musharraf said he was "deeply shocked to learn about the cold-blooded and tragic murder".
"The late Lone was an outspoken proponent of Kashmiri people's right to self-determination... Kashmir has lost one of its most illustrious sons while Pakistan has lost a sincere friend," it said.
"My government strongly condemns this reprehensible act of terrorism and hopes that the perpetrators of this heinous crime will be apprehended and brought to justice. May Allah Almighty rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant you and other members of your family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss," the message said.
Musharraf also sent a similar message to Hurriyat chairman Abdul Gani Bhat.
PTI
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