FO summons Indian envoy over killing of two civilians in Indian shelling

RAWALPINDI: At least two people were killed and three others, including a woman and child, wounded when Indian troops resorted to intense firing and shelling without provocation from across the Line of Control (LoC) in the early hours of Monday, ARY News reported.

According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the army, Indian troops started shelling targeting civilian populations in Hotspring (Tatta Pani) sector of Azad Jammu and Kashmir along the LoC, causing civilian causalities. Pakistani troops responded effectively to Indian shelling to silent their guns, it added.

Asad, 18, was hit by splinters of a shell and died on the spot in Bhabra village while Waqar later succumbed to his injuries on way to or at hospital in DHQ Kotli. Three others, including a woman and child, were seriously injured in Indian shelling.

Taking exception to unprovoked ceasefire violations by Indian troops, the foreign office of Pakistan has summoned the Indian diplomat to lodge strong protest against the killing of civilians in Indian shelling.

The skirmishes and heavy exchange of fire between the two rival armies have become a norm despite a truce argument signed in November 2003 with Indian troops resorting to regular firing without any provocation targeting civilian population, particularly after the attack on Indian army base in Uri by suspected militants.

Pakistani authorities have repeatedly maintained that India continue to target innocent Kashmiris on the both sides of the LoC to divert the world attention from the brutalities committed by its troops in held Kashmir.

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Jawed Bajwa had earlier this week paid a visit to the troops stationed along the LoC in Muzaffarabad sector, where he was given detailed briefing regarding operational situation, Indian ceasefire violations and response by Pakistani troops.

The army chief said the army is aware of the defence and security challenges being faced by the country and is capable to defeat all threats.