Pakistan summons Indian diplomat over ceasefire violations

A senior Indian diplomat on Thursday was summoned to register Pakistan's strong protest over the ceasefire violations by Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in Chirikot sector, resulting in serious injuries to an innocent civilian, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Due to indiscriminate and unprovoked firing by the Indian troops, 45-year-old Muhammad Arif, resident of Pothi village, sustained serious injuries, the statement observed.

"The Indian occupation forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB) have continuously been targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-calibre mortars and automatic weapons," the statement read.

In 2020, India has so far committed 1,102 ceasefire violations.

Condemning the deplorable targeting of innocent civilians by the Indian occupation forces, it was underscored that such senseless acts are in clear violation of the 2003 ceasefire understanding, and are also against all established humanitarian norms and professional military conduct.

"These egregious violations of international law reflect consistent Indian attempts to escalate the situation along the LoC and are a threat to regional peace and security," the statement maintained.

The statement also stated that by raising tensions along the LoC and the WB, India cannot divert attention from the grave human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K).

The Indian side was called upon to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding; investigate the current and other such incidents of deliberate ceasefire violations and maintain peace along the LoC and the WB.

The Indian side was also urged to allow 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.