India's Modi Defends Kashmir Policy Amid Clash With Pakistan

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says that stripping the disputed Kashmir region of its statehood and special constitutional provisions has helped unify the country.

By Associated Press, Wire Service Content?Aug. 15, 2019, at 11:52 a.m

BY SHEIKH SAALIQ AND EMILY SCHMALL, Associated Press

NEW DELHI (AP) — Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday used an Independence Day speech to defend his decision to strip Kashmir of its special status as about 7 million residents of the disputed region endured an unprecedented security lockdown and communications blackout for an 11th day.

Pakistan's security forces, meanwhile, said "unprovoked firing" by India along the militarized Line of Control in the region killed three Pakistani soldiers and two civilians in separate incidents. Pakistan said it returned fire, killing five Indian soldiers. The Indian Army said there were no Indian casualties.

They were the first reported clashes between the nuclear-armed rivals since New Delhi changed the status of Kashmir, escalating regional tensions. The two countries have fought two wars over the territory.

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