Indian diplomat summoned as ceasefire violation kills civilian

FO says 55-year-old Muhammad Rashid was martyred as a result of unprovoked firing by Indian forces on Tuesday

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner (DHC) over ceasefire violations at the Line of Control which resulted in the martyrdom of a 55-year-old civilian.

“Director General of SA and SAARC, Dr Mohammad Faisal summoned Indian DHC J P Singh to condemn an unprovoked firing incident by the Indian occupation forces in Kotera Sector on August 29, which resulted in martyrdom of Muhammad Rashid, resident of Mithidara,” the Foreign Office said in a statement. “Despite calls for restraint, the occupied forces continue to indulge in ceasefire violations.”

The incident came less than a week after three civilians, including a woman, were martyred and two others injured due to the unprovoked firing by Indian forces in Rawalakot sector.



The Indian forces have so far carried out over 700 ceasefire violations this year alongside the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB) resulting in the martyrdom of as many as 29 civilians and caused injuries to 113 others, the communiqué read. “The deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws.”

During the meeting, the director general urged the Indian DHC to ensure India’s forces respected the 2003 ceasefire agreement between the two neighbours, adding that the country should allow UNMOGIP to play its role as per the resolutions of UN Security Council.