New Delhi, Oct. 3 -- India on Friday strongly criticised Pakistan amid ongoing mass protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), calling the unrest a "natural consequence" of Islamabad's oppressive policies and systemic exploitation of the region.

Addressing the media, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have seen reports on protests in several areas of Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir, including brutalities by Pakistani forces on innocent civilians." He added that the protests reflect growing frustration under Pakistan's "forcible and illegal occupation," marked by human rights violations and economic exploitation.

Massive demonstrations have gripped PoJK for five consecutive days, with...