The Pakistani prime minister said Friday at the United Nations General Assembly that there would be a bloodbath in Kasmir if curfew is lifted.
"There are 900,000 troops there, they haven't come to, as Narendra Modi says -- for the prosperity of Kashmir... These 900,000 troops, what are they going to do? When they come out? There will be a bloodbath," he said.
The region of Kasmir has been a stumbling block in relations between two neighbouring countries - India and Pakistan, for many years.
Despite a ceasefire reached in 2003 after several armed conflicts, instability in the region continued, leading to the emergence of various extremist groups.
Tensions increased in August after India revoked the special status of the Jammu and Kashmir state. Under the government’s new initiative, Jammu and Kashmir will be divided into two union territories that will be under New Delhi control.
Reacting to the decision, Pakistan expelled the Indian ambassador, halted bilateral trade and promised to raise the issue with the International Court of Justice.