On LoC tour, diplomats find ‘no evidence of terror launch pads’ as claimed by India

They were shown the damages done to villages along the LoC by Indian shelling

Pakistan debunked Indian army chief’s claim of destroying so-called launch pads of terrorists along the Line of Control (LoC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir by taking foreign diplomats on a tour of the areas shelled by Indian forces over the weekend.

“There is no evidence of any terrorist camp in this area. They are all ordinary people and ordinary civilians trying to make their living,” said Deddy Feisal, the deputy high commissioner of Malaysia in Islamabad, while talking to the media after visiting the civilian areas bombed by Indian border forces.

Three civilians and one soldier were martyred, while two soldiers and five civilians were injured when Indian forces violated the ceasefire and deliberately targeted civilian population in Jura, Shahkot, Nousehri sectors of the LoC on Oct 20.

Pakistani troops effectively and precisely targeted Indian military positions, killing nine Indian soldiers and decimating two of their bunkers.

“I have a special feeling when I see that civilians were targeted here and unfortunately with some casualties, and I could see that the people are patriots and have special feelings and they have hosted us and are open to tell what has happened really,” said Ambassador of Bosnia Sakib Foric.

The foreign diplomats were shown the damages done to villages along the LoC by Indian shelling. “Indian forces are openly against all principles of civility and humanity,” said Chirsto Janse Van, the acting high commissioner of South Africa.



In pictures: Foreign diplomats visit areas damaged by Indian firing along LoC

China’s ambassador also spoke about the sufferings of the Kashmiri people, which, he said, makes it all the more important for the international community to help resolve this festering dispute.

“Along with my colleagues I saw the damages, sufferings, injuries by local people here. These people are suffering and that is why I think Kashmir dispute is more and more important for the international community to pay attention to, and also for India and Pakistan to find a peaceful solution according to UN resolutions,” said Chinese Ambassador Yao Jing.

India’s deputy high commissioner was also given this unprecedented invite to join the foreign diplomats on the LoC visit, which he declined.

“The Indian embassy has yet not responded to offer made by DG ISPR. It indicates that they have no grounds to support false claim by their COAS,” said Foreign Office spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal in a Twitter post.

Pakistan army - Patikka, bear LoC- Proud of you all pic.twitter.com/d79fmA83gN

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) October 22, 2019

The Indian side has not joined us in the visit to LoC neither have they provided coordinates of the alleged “launchpads”.

— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@DrMFaisal) October 22, 2019

DG ISPR Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor also said that the entire Indian narrative did not have the legs to stand on. “The Indian High Commission staff didn’t have the moral courage to accompany fellow diplomats in Pakistan to LoC,” said the Pakistan military’s spokesperson.