Truce violations: Indian envoy summoned as civilian killed at LoC

FO says deliberate targeting of civilians deplorable, contrary to human dignity and humanitarian laws


Our Correspondent January 20, 2018
Indian army soldiers patrol near the Line of Control, a ceasefire line dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan, in Poonch district in this August 7, 2013 file photo. PHOTO: REUTERS

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Saturday summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner over unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian forces at the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary (WB) resulting in the loss of lives on Pakistan’s side.

A press release issued by the Foreign Office said Director General (South Asia & SAARC) Dr Mohammad Faisal summoned Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces on January 18, 19 and 20.

On January 20, LoC ceasefire violations took place in Khuiratta, Bagsar and Khanjar sectors resulting in the martyrdom of a 60-year-old innocent civilian, Ghulam Ali, and injuries to two girls, six-year-old Chaman Bibi and 27-year-old Maria, the press release said.
It added that the number of casualties at the WB had also risen due to the unprovoked and indiscriminate firing by the Indian forces.

“Four more innocent civilians embraced shahadat [martyrdom] while 20 were injured on 18th and 19th January, 2018. The Indian forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary are continuously targeting civilian populated areas with heavy mortars and automatic weapons,” said the FO press release.

In 2018, it said the Indian forces had carried out more than 150 ceasefire violations along the LoC and the WB in just 20 days, resulting in the martyrdom of nine innocent civilians and injuries to 40 others. “This unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations by India has been continuing since the year 2017 when the Indian forces committed more than 19,00 ceasefire violations,” it added.

The FO called the deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas “deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international human rights and humanitarian laws. The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation.”

Dr Faisal urged the Indian side to “respect the 2003 ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire in letter and spirit; and maintain peace on the LoC and the Working Boundary.”

He urged that the Indian side should permit UNMOGIP to play its mandated role as per the UN Security Council resolutions.

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