Pakistan summons Indian diplomat over targeting of civilians along LoC

Unprovoked firing injured 45-year-old Muhammad Safeer in Satwal Sector, says foreign office

Pakistan has summoned a senior diplomat at the foreign ministry to register a “strong protest” over unabated violations of the 2003 ceasefire agreement by Indian border guards along the heavily-miltarised Line of Control (LoC).

“A senior diplomat from the High Commission of India was summoned to the Foreign Office, today, to register Pakistan’s strong protest at the ceasefire violations by Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control, resulting in serious injuries to an innocent civilian man,” a Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement on Saturday.

Due to indiscriminate and unprovoked firing by the Indian forces in Satwal Sector of LoC on 1 February 2020, 45-year-old Muhammad Safeer, s/o Muhammad Hussain, resident of village Madarpur, sustained serious injuries, said the official statement.

ISPR, the media of Pakistan Army, has also said the Indian troops deliberately target civil population along the defacto border.

Another civilian injured in Indian firing along LoC: ISPR

“Condemning the targeting of innocent civilians by the Indian occupation forces, it was underscored that such senseless Indian acts, in clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding and complete disregard for international human rights and international norms, further vitiate the tense atmosphere along the LoC and pose a threat to regional peace and stability,” the FO spokesperson said.

“It was also emphasised that by raising tensions along the LoC and the working boundary (WB), India cannot divert attention from the worsening human rights situation in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K),” it added.

The Narendra Modi-led government revoked the semi-autonomous status of IOJ&K on August 5, 2019 after sending tens of thousands of troops in the already heavily-militarised disputed region to quell any uprising against New Delhi’s illegal and unconstitutional move.

The region remains under siege ever since with a complete information and communication blockade, while top local political leaders are in detention. The Modi government is now reluctantly easing the draconian curbs after drawing flak from the international community.

“Pakistan called upon the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding; investigate this and other incidents of deliberate ceasefire violations and maintain peace along the LoC and the WB,” the spokesperson said.

It was also urged that India should permit the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its mandated role as per the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.