Use of cluster 'toy' bombs by India along LoC reprehensible: FM Qureshi

KARACHI: Talking exclusively to ARY News today (Saturday) the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, Shah Mehmood Qureshi vehemently opposed India’s nefarious designs and increased aggression in occupied Kashmir and on the Line of Control (LoC).

The Foreign Minister on the recent revelation by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) wing of the Armed Forces about the use of illegal cluster ‘toy’ bombs along the Line of Control (LoC) to target the civilian population expressed deep resentment over the fact and called it a “complete and utter transgression on part of India against the basic and fundamental Human Rights.”

FM Qureshi also expressed his doubts over the recent escalation in aggression by India along the line of control (LoC) and the recently beefed up Indian Army presence in occupied Kashmir.

Qureshi opined that the Indian preparations are concerning and may plunge the region into further anarchy and chaos.

He also expressed his doubts over calls to ration food and ban on edible imports by India, which also implicated something serious brewing on the other side of the border.

Qureshi added that if things got out of hand then the recent scuffles between both countries over the disputed territory of Kashmir could result in serious repercussions for the entire region and the Afghan ‘Peace talks’ initiative, which is being spearheaded by Pakistan.

Cluster ‘toy’ bombs have been recovered from the Line of Control (LoC) which were put there for nefarious purposes which are being traced back to India, ARY News reported on Saturday.

According to details, the toy bombs were placed in the peripheries of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir area of Pakistan, near the working boundary of the two countries.

The bombs have thus far martyred a 4-year-old adolescent along with 2 others and left 11 injured in its wake.

The cluster bombs have been banned according to the United States (UN) Geneva convention of which India is a signatory.

The cluster toy bomb is shaped like a harmless toy and can be devastating after detonating, exploding into million shards of razor-sharp blades which pierce through whatever comes in the range of the blast.

The bombs are primarily targeted towards the children who take them home with them unbeknownst to the havoc they could wreak.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) wing of the Armed forces revealed that the said explosive device had been used on July 30 and 31 against the people residing on the Pakistan side of disputed Kashmir to target the civilian population.

Reacting to the beefed-up ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) by India, the Pakistan Army said on Wednesday, July 31 that it will take all measures to protect innocent civilians from Indian firing.

The military’s spokesperson, Major General Asif Ghafoor, said on Twitter that, “Increased Indian Cease Fire Violations (CFVs) indicate their frustration due to failure in IOJ&K [Indian occupied Jammu & Kashmir].”

Increased Indian Cease Fire Violations (CFVs) indicate their frustration due to failure in IOJ&K. CFVs are being & shall always be effectively responded. Pak Army shall take all measures to protect innocent civilians along LOC from Indian firing deliberately targeting them.

— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) July 31, 2019

“CFVs are being & shall always be effectively responded. Pak Army shall take all measures to protect innocent civilians along LOC from Indian firing deliberately targeting them,” the Director-General of Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) tweeted.

A day earlier, the ISPR reported that Indian troops resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violations in Danna, Dhddnial, Jura, Lipa, Sharda, and Shahkot Sectors, targeting civil population.

The statement added that a 26-year-old Pakistani citizen was martyred and nine other citizens including women and children sustained injuries.

Moreover, three Indian soldiers were reportedly killed and several injured in retaliatory fire by Pakistan Army forces across the LoC, ISPR said.

In this regard, the Foreign Office also lodged a strong protest earlier today with the Indian Deputy High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia.

Serious doubts of IoK issue spilling over to Afghan talks due to India: FM Qureshi