New Delhi: India has strongly opposed the conduct of elections in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) areas of Gilgit-Baltistan.

Addressing a press conference, Tuesday, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, “Election in Gilgit-Baltistan on June 8 is an attempt by Pakistan to camouflage its forcible and illegal occupation of the regions.”

“India’s position is very clear, the entire J&K state which includes Gilgit-Baltistan, is an integral part of India,” he said, adding, “We are concerned at continued effort of denying people of region their political rights and the efforts being made to absorb these territories (Gilgit-Baltistan).”

“The fact that a Federal Minister of Pakistan is also the Governor of Gilgit-Baltistan, speaks for itself,” he said.

Activists like Senge Hasna Serin, the president of 'Institute of Gilgit Baltistan Studies' have been asserting that many people in "lawlessness" Gilgit-Baltistan would opt for India if a plebiscite were to be held.

"There are certainly ample number of Indian sympathiser in Gilgit-Baltistan who, if plebiscite is carried out, would like to go with India, but before that India needs to pay much attention that even UN has failed to pay,” Serin said.

Sering also claimed that the local people were hurt by reports of India's "intent" to convert the Line of Control into the International border with Pakistan.