Pakistan summons Indian envoy over deadly ceasefire violation

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has summoned an Indian diplomat after five civilians were killed by “unprovoked” Indian fire across the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region.

The Foreign Ministry announced the move Sunday, a day after Indian forces had shelled two areas. India said Pakistani shelling across the Line of Control killed and off-duty soldier and his wife on Saturday, calling it an “unprovoked” violation of a 2003 cease-fire agreement.

The two nuclear-armed rivals have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir, which both claim in its entirety, since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1947. The Himalayan region is split between Indian and Pakistani-controlled zones separated by the heavily militarized Line of Control.

After the incident, Foreign Office’s Director General (DG) Dr Mohammad Faisal summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian forces.

“The deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws,” Faisal was quoted in a press statement.

He urged the Indian side to respect its 2003 ceasefire agreement; investigate the current one and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit, and maintain peace on the LoC.

He said the Indian side should permit the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its role mandated under the UN Security Council resolutions.