PM Imran demands UNSC action against India for using cluster munitions along LoC

PM calls for progress on Trump's mediation offer, says situation has "potential to blow up into a regional crisis"

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday condemned India's use of cluster munitions across the Line of Control (LoC) and urged the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to 'take note of this international threat to peace and security'.

I condemn India's attack across LOC on innocent civilians & it's use of cluster munitions in violation of int humanitarian law and it's own commitments under the 1983 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons. UNSC must take note of this international threat to peace & security.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 4, 2019

 

In a series of tweets, the premier said India's use of cluster munitions was in violation of global humanitarian laws and New Delhi's commitments under the 1983 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

Warning that the current situation "has the potential to blow up into a regional crisis", PM Imran said now was the opportune time for progress to be made on US President Donald Trump's recent offers of mediation between Pakistan and New Delhi.

President Trump offered to mediate on Kashmir. This is the time to do so as situation deteriorates there and along the LOC with new aggressive actions being taken by Indian occupation forces. This has the potential to blow up into a regional crisis.

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 4, 2019

He said the situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir and along the LoC was deteriorating due to the "new aggressive actions being taken by Indian occupation forces".

PM Imran called for efforts to "end the long night of suffering for the people of Occupied Kashmir" by exercising their right to self- determination according to UNSC resolutions."

"The only road to peace & security in South Asia runs through a peaceful & just settlement of Kashmir," said the PM.

It is time to end the long night of suffering for the people of Occupied Kashmir. They must be allowed to exercise their right to self determination according to UN SC resolutions.The only road to peace & security in South Asia runs through a peaceful & just settlement of Kashmir

— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) August 4, 2019

The premier's comments came a day after Pakistan went public with evidence of Indian forces using cluster munitions on civilian population along the LoC, in violation of international humanitarian laws and the Geneva Convention.

"Indian army on the night of 30th/31st July targeted innocent citizens, including women and children, in Neelum Valley through artillery using cluster ammunition," read a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations. "Resultantly, two civilians, including a four-year-old boy, were martyred while 11 got critically injured."

The Pakistan military's media wing pointed out that because of their severe impact on non-combatants, the use of cluster munitions is prohibited under the Convention on Cluster Munitions. "This blatant Indian aggression against all international norms exposes true character of Indian army and their moral standing," it said.

"It's time for international community to take notice of this Indian blatant violation of international laws on use of cluster ammunition targeting innocent citizens," the statement added.

Pakistan's Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal also condemned the use of cluster munitions along the LoC and deliberate targeting of civilians by India. In a tweet, he termed it a blatant violation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions and international humanitarian laws.

"The international community should take notice of the Indian actions which are violation of international laws," he urged.

According to figures, India has committed 1,876 ceasefire violations so far this year, martyring 19 civilians and injuring at least 148 more. Six civilians have been martyred in Indian aggression over the last two weeks alone.