Washington: It's a shot in the arm for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with the US State Department, Wednesday, sharing concerns on the atrocities committed by the Pakistani Army in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.


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While voicing its concerns, the US said, “We do have concerns about the human rights situation in PoK.


The US State Department appealed to all parties in Pakistan to work out their differences peaceably and through a valid political process.


US State Department spokesperson Mark C Toner said that Pakistan was well aware of the US policy on the Kashmir issue.


He made the remarks while responding to a question about Pakistan Army's oppression in Pakistan-held Kashmir and Balochistan.


In his address from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of 70th Independence Day, PM Modi hit out Pakistan for "glorifying" terrorists.


PM Modi in his Independence Day speech came out openly in support of "freedom" for Balochistan and "PoK."


Modi's controversial statement sparked protests across Balochistan, with large numbers of tribesmen taking to the streets in protest in Dera Bugti, Khuzdar, Quetta, Chaman and other parts of the province.


The disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir was split between India and Pakistan in 1948, after they fought a brief war over it. It remains at the heart of animosity between the nuclear-armed neighbours.


Last year reports had emerged that residents of PoK were openly advocating to be a part of India. They were said to be impressed with PM Narendra Modi's style of governance.


Chairman of the Anjuman Minhaj-e-Rasool, Moulana Syed Athar Hussain Dehlavi, who had toured PoK had said that people residing in the region want to be a part of India.


According to Dehlavi, the people of the region are distressed with growing extremism in Pakistan and want to lead a peaceful life. Given the opportunity, they would want a referendum so that they can vote to join back India.