“Insult to Humanity”: Pakistan on Commendation to Major Gogoi

Pakistan said that it was not the first time that the Indian forces have displayed such “cowardice and inhumanity”.

36- year-old Farooq Dar was tied to a jeep allegedly as a human shield against stone pelters during polling in the Srinagar Lok Sabha by-election. (Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@icakashmir)  

Pakistan on Thursday condemned the Indian Army chief's Commendation Card to an officer involved in tying up a Kashmiri man to a jeep as human shield.

"Awarding Major Leetul Gogoi, who brazenly used a Kashmiri youth as a human shield, is condemnable. It is a crime and an insult to humanity," Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told media during the weekly briefing.

The Commendation Card for Major Gogoi of 53 Rashtriya Rifles was given for his "sustained efforts" in counter-insurgency operations, the Indian Army had said.

Also Read: Kashmiri Human Shield Moves Human Rights Body Against Major Gogoi

Zakaria said that it was not the first time that the Indian forces have displayed such "cowardice and inhumanity".

Accusing the Indian forces of being involved in acts of “grave violence against civilians”, Zakaria also urged the international community, particularly the UN, to take cognizance of the act.

A video, shot on 9 April during the Srinagar by-poll held amid violence, showed a man, later identified as Farooq Ahmad Dar, tied to an Indian Army jeep's bonnet in Budgam, Jammu and Kashmir, to ward off stone pelters. The Jammu and Kashmir police have filed a case against Gogoi, which is still on.

Also Read: General Rawat Writes Commendation Letter for Major Gogoi, Others