LoC skirmishes: Indian envoy summoned over persistent violations

Foreign secretary says India used artillery after 13 years

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday summoned India’s high commissioner to record a strong protest over the continued ‘unprovoked’ firing and ceasefire violations by Indian forces along the Line of Control and Working Boundary.

At least 26 civilians have been killed and 107 wounded  in the last two months due to the Indian forces firing, said a statement issued by the Foreign Office.



It said Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry summoned the Indian high commissioner and condemned the continued unprovoked firing and ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary, in complete violation of the 2003 ceasefire understanding and international law. The foreign secretary observed that the indiscriminate firing and shelling from the Indian side deliberately targeted villages and civilian populated areas.

Aizaz also deplored the use of artillery by the Indian occupation forces in Shahkot and Jura sectors on the LoC on Wednesday and highlighted that such weaponry had been used after 13 years, reflecting India’s intention to further escalate tensions and undermine regional peace and security.

He said the United Nations Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has the UN mandated responsibility for maintaining peace and tranquility at the LoC and the Working Boundary.



“While Pakistan is fully cooperating and providing full access to UNMOGIP, we urge India to permit the UNMOGIP to visit and observe the LoC and the Working Boundary,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 11^th, 2016.