A hub of jihadi elements, Pakistan encourages destruction and defacement of anything that is connected with glorious past of India

India has conveyed its strong concern to Pakistan over reports of vandalism, defacement and destruction of invaluable Indian Buddhist heritage located in Gilgit-Baltistan, the area which is under illegal and forcible occupation of Pakistan.

“It is a matter of grave concern that the Buddhist symbols are being destroyed and the religious and cultural rights and freedoms are being trampled with impunity in the Indian territories under illegal occupation of Pakistan,” Ministry of External Affairs’ spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said in response to a media query on Wednesday.

“Egregious activities of this nature which display contempt for the ancient civilizational and cultural heritage are highly condemnable,” he added.

Expressing anguish over the development, the MEA spokesperson said, “We have sought immediate access for our experts to the area in order to restore and preserve this invaluable archaeological heritage.”

He said Pakistan must vacate all illegally occupied territories immediately and end gross violation of political, economic and cultural rights of people living there.