“Indian atrocities have not been able to deter the spirit of the brave Kashmiris in India-held Kashmir,” Bajwa said, according to a statement issued by the Pakistan army’s media wing.
Pakistan will always stand with Kashmir in “their just struggle against repression,” Bajwa said.
Gen Bajwa was briefed about recent ceasefire violations across the LoC and the response of Pakistani troops to cross-border firing, the statement said.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s new Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi blamed India “expansionist designs” as the “main hurdle” in improvement of ties between the two neighbours.
“Our government has invariably made efforts to initiate the process of meaningful dialogue and adoption of peaceful means to resolve the issues but unfortunately the expansionist designs of India have remained the main hurdle in this regard,” he said as Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang attended the celebrations as a “special guest” of the country.
He said the international community must play its role in resolving the Kashmir dispute.
“It is incumbent upon the international community to play its role in the resolution of the regional conflicts, particularly the Kashmir dispute in conformity with the UN [United Nations] resolutions on the subject with a view to ensuring durable peace in the region,” Abbasi said.