Indian envoy summoned over ceasefire violations

Foreign Office says that despite calls for restraint, New Delhi continues to indulge in flagrant violations

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office’s Director-General (South Asia and SAARC) on Wednesday summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces in Leepa/Kayani sector of the country.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, two civilians were martyred as a result of the firing, and 6 people sustained injuries. The deceased were identified as Sumaira Younis and Maryam, residents of the Noukot village.



Despite calls for restraint, India continues to indulge in blatant ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC). In 2017 alone, Indian forces have carried out more than 1,150 ceasefire violations along the LoC and the working boundary, resulting in the martyrdom of 49 civilians and injuries to a further 165. As compared to these figures, there were ‘only’ 382 ceasefire violations in 2016.

The deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary to all standards of human dignity. It also breaks international humanitarian laws, the statement reads.

The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation, which could lead to a wider conflict in the South Asian region, defence analysts have repeatedly warned.

DG (SA & SAARC) urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 ceasefire arrangement and investigate incidents such as this. The Indian army must, in letter and spirit, maintain peace on the LoC and the working boundary, the DG said.