Indian envoy summoned after ceasefire violation across LoC

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office on Thursday once again summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Mr. J.P. Singh and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations along the Line of Control.

Indian forces once again opened fire in Rawalakot/Satwal sector along the LoC today resulting in the martyrdom of a labourer, working at a crushing plant, at Poonch river bank.

Foreign Office spokesman Dr. Mohammad Faisal, who is also Director General South Asia and SAARC, summoned the Indian envoy and registered Pakistan strong protest over the ceasefire violations.

Despite calls for restraint, India continues to indulge in ceasefire violations. According to the Foreign Office, Indian forces have carried out more than 391 ceasefire violations along the LoC and the Working Boundary in 2018, resulting in the martyrdom of sixteen civilians and injuries to 65 others.

The Foreign Office said the unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations by India is continuing from the year 2017 when Indian forces committed more than 1970 ceasefire violations.

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It stated that the deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas is deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international human rights and humanitarian laws. The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation.

FO spokesman urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations, and instruct Indian forces to respect the ceasefire in letter and spirit and maintain peace on the LoC and the Working Boundary.

He urged that the Indian side should permit UNMOGIP to play its mandated role as per the UN Security Council resolutions.

This is the third time the Indian envoy has been summoned since the last week. An eight-year-old boy was killed on Monday by cross-border firing by Indian troops in Khuiratta Sector along the restive LoC. Last Thursday, Indian forces targeted a van carrying school children in Battal sector and martyred the van driver.