India urged to release Hurriyat leaders ahead of Pak Day celebration

Islamabad [Pakistan], Mar. 23 (ANI): Pakistan had on Wednesday urged India to immediately release separatist Kashmiri leaders under house arrest alleging that this move was aimed at preventing them from attending the Pakistan Day celebration today at the High Commission in New Delhi. Expressing concern over the detentions, Pakistan Foreign Office in a statement said that the move was aimed at preventing them from attending Pakistan National Day reception at Pakistan High Commission, reports the Express Tribune. "These arbitrary restrictions are against the principles of democracy and freedom of movement," the Foreign Office said. Tensions between Pakistan and India have been simmering for months particularly after the attack on the Indian military base in Uri in which at least 19 Indian soldiers were killed. India blamed Pakistan based militant groups for the attack and claimed to have carried out surgical across the Line of Control (LoC) to destroy 'terror launch pads.' Islamabad rebutted India's claims and said the surgical strikes were a routine exchange of fire between the two armies. (ANI)