A strong protest was lodged over the unprovoked firing by Indian soldiers last night in the Shaqma sector, Kargil resulting in the martyrdom of a Pakistan Army officer, Captain Sarfraz. PHOTO: ISPR
A day after Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif urged his country’s diplomats and military officials to exercise restraint, a Pakistan Army officer was killed and another seriously wounded in the latest ceasefire violation by Indian troops along the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday.
The incident, which took place in the Shaqma sector of Kargil, drew strong condemnation from Islamabad. An official statement said that India’s deputy high commissioner was summoned to the Foreign Office to protest the ‘unprovoked firing’.
“A strong protest was lodged over the unprovoked firing by Indian soldiers last night in the Shaqma sector, Kargil,” the statement added. “A Pakistan Army officer, Captain Sarfraz, embraced martyrdom, and another soldier sustained serious injuries.”
Foreign Office spokesperson Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said Pakistan had conveyed its ‘serious concerns’ regarding the continued ceasefire violations across the LoC by Indian troops over the past few weeks.
“The escalation of tensions is counterproductive and detrimental to peace and stability in the region,” he said. Reiterating that Pakistan was committed to a constructive, sustained and result-oriented process of engagement, he urged India to take serious and credible measures to prevent further ceasefire violations and deescalate tensions.
The two armies have been engaged in a series of skirmishes since August 6 when India accused Pakistan Army of killing five of its soldiers in a cross-LoC ambush. Islamabad denies the charge and instead blames New Delhi for flaring up tensions.
The latest ceasefire violation came a day before the meeting of Pakistan’s top decision-making body on national security and defence. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has convened a meeting of the Defence Committee of the Cabinet (DCC) for today (Thursday) to discuss the ongoing tensions with India.
In its maiden session, the DCC would be briefed by the director general military operations about the worsening situation at the LoC, officials said. The three services chiefs will also likely attend the meeting, they added.
The officials said the government was seeking to de-escalate tensions with India but the latest killings by Indian army could change the dynamics. Another official said the DCC would discuss the current situation in detail and approve measures in view of the Indian ‘belligerence’.
The renewed tensions have jeopardised plans for what the two governments hoped might be a breakthrough encounter between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of a UN meeting in New York next month.
But Indian foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin told AFP that for any dialogue with Pakistan, there has to be a conducive environment first. “An environment in which terrorism or violence is perpetrated against India is not the right environment,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 22nd, 2013.
COMMENTS (13)
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@Punjabi: "He is a great person and has the capacity to save Pakistan." Sir your definition of a greatness please? So tell us what great work he has done and in what way he has saved Pakistan and from whom? Please rethink Sir. No blind worship.
@Punjabi: As my detailed comment has been withheld by the moderator. I will say in brief. Sir your reason "Musharraf has the capacity to take on India." is misplaced and totally wrong. He has displayed no such capacity. Please check your memory cards. Think some other good reason and tell us all. Regards
@Malatesh: He is a great person and has the capacity to save Pakistan.
Just two days ago, Indian External Affairs Ministry had said India wants peace with all her neighbors. That's what it had meant.
@Punjabi: He dont have the capacity to save himself now.. Guess who is responsible for present situation in Pakistan?
@VINOD KUMAR JAISWAL: Musharraf has the capacity to take on India.
Pakistan just doesn't have unlimited resources. It can either fight the Taliban or India. It has to pick one.
Many in Pakistan know this, including in the military. It looks like those in the military have picked India for some reason. Possibly they want Taliban to come to power in Pakistan.
Even though I respect Elected Govt of Pakistan, they are clearly not in control of their own military.
Elections don't automatically mean Democracy. Democracy minus civilian supremacy is not Democracy at all.
@Punjabi: Why are you missing Musharraf? I have not understood. Did he bring any laurels to the country by winning wars, eradicating terror, improving country's image in world forum? Sir please tell all of us what did he do that you are missing him?
Miss you Musharraf!
@Usman: looks like India is lacking strong bullets and such languages.
Strong protest, what a funny word to try to calm people down. Forget protest, send a strong bullet through the head of enemy, the only language they understand.
I guess, governments of India and Pakistan should go against the tide and start talks. They should not succumb to pressure of either's military or extremist elements who do not see the peace process in their interest. As a common man I would want Manmohan and Nawaz to meet and forge greater collaboration and initiatives which will bring common man of India and Pakistan together instead of holding them hostage to the hawkish military of both country.
War mongerers will now start commenting their threat towards each other. Which is just sad.