Pakistan using terror groups to change status quo in Kashmir, US diplomat tells lawmakers

Pakistan has used terrorist groups to change status quo in Jammu and Kashmir, which has undermined every peace effort and impacted human rights negatively, a Barrack Obama-era diplomat has told US lawmakers.

In a statement to House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Asia, Pacific, and nproliferation, Alyssa Ayres, senior fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia at Council on Foreign Relations think-tank, on Monday said situation is complex and tragic in Kashmir committee will schedule a hearing on "Stemming a Receding Tide: Human Rights and Democratic Values in Asia" on Tuesday.

re is documented history of Pakistan-based terrorists active in Indian-ministered Kashmir, and Kashmiris and Indian government continue to face a difficult challenge of border security and terrorism in this region, Aryes said.

"Terrorism has undermined every effort at peace in last two deces and continues to create insecurity. I would also like to ackwledge longstanding suffering of Kashmiri Pandits, a Hindu community driven from ir Kashmiri homeland in early years of insurgency at beginning of 1990s,” she said.

Ayres said Indian government revoked Article 370 last year to tackle terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. move was followed by deployment of ditional troops, statewide communications and internet shutdown and several Kashmiri leers were placed in detention.

“More than a year on, it is hard to see improvements on that front,” she said ding that impact on democracy and human rights has been negative.