United Nations, Oct 1 (PTI) Bluntly calling Pakistan a "prime sponsor of terrorism," India today strongly hit back at Islamabad, asserting de-militarising Kashmir is not the answer for achieving peace but "deterrorising" Pakistan is as it uses terror as a "legitimate instrument" of its statecraft.

India also urged Pakistan for "early vacation" of Pak occupied Kashmir(PoK).

New Delhi's unequivocal response came shortly after Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif raised Kashmir issue in his address to the UN General Assembly(UNGA), terming its non-resolution as a failure of the world body, and proposed a 4-point "peace initiative" with India which includes demilitarisation of Kashmir. Sharif had also said Pakistan is the "primary victim" of terrorism.

"In truth, it(Pakistan) is actually a victim of its own policies of breeding and sponsoring terrorists. The heart of the matter is a state that regards the use of terrorism as a legitimate instrument of statecraft.

"The world watches with concern as its consequences have spread beyond its immediate neighbourhood," First Secretary in the Permanent Mission of India to the UN Abhishek Singh said in a sharp retort exercising India's Right of Reply during the General Debate of 70th session of UNGA.

Separately, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup in his response through a series of tweet said, "To de-militarise Kashmir is not the answer, to de-terrorise Pakistan is."

"Pakistan is not primary victim of terrorism but of its own policies. It is in fact the prime sponsor of terrorism."

Swarup further tweeted that Pakistan's "instability arises from its breeding of terrorists. Blaming neighbours is not a solution."

Reacting to Sharif's remarks that "Palestinians and Kashmiris (are) oppressed by foreign occupation", Swarup said the "Pak PM gets foreign occupation right, occupier wrong. We urge early vacation of Pak occupied Kashmir."

Sharif had equated Kashmir with Palestine while talking about "suffering of Muslims across the world", saying "Palestinians and Kashmiris (are) oppressed by foreign occupation."

Abhishek Singh also hit out at Pakistan on this issue, asserting that the "occupier in question is Pakistan."

He also asserted that on each occasion, it is India that has extended the hand of friendship.

"India remains open even today to engage Pakistan on outstanding issues in an atmosphere free of terrorism and violence," he added.