Civilian martyred in India LoC fire
Army soldier stands guard at a hilltop post during a trip organised by the army, near the Line of Control (LoC), in Charikot Sector, Azad Kashmir July 22, 2020. PHOTO: REUTERS/FILE
Indian Army on Monday resorted to unprovoked firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nikial Sector, targeting innocent civilians which resulted in the martyrdom of a 60-year-old man, the military said.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the deceased, identified as Ghias, was a resident of Oli village in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Koti district. The incident also left three women, who were cutting grass in the fields, traumatised.
Riaz Mughal, superintendent of police in Kashmir's Kotli region, seconded the ISPR statement, saying a 62-year-old man was hit by "unprovoked" Indian shooting while he was cutting grass near the LoC - the de facto border between the two countries.
“The blatant Indian aggression is a clear violation of existing Ceasefire Understandings. Pakistan desires peace and tranquillity at its borders, however, all necessary measures will be taken to protect the life and property of our citizens,” the military’s media wing maintained.
Read: Ceasefire violations indicate India’s frustration: DG ISPR
The ISPR warned that “any misadventure against the people of Pakistan will be befittingly responded to at the time and place of our choosing”.
This is the second known ceasefire violation incident since February 2021 when the two neighbours renewed their truce in the disputed region.
In June, Indian Army resorted to unprovoked firing on a group of shepherds along the LoC. Two civilians embraced martyrdom while one other was critically injured in Sattwal sector along the LoC, the ISPR had said.
Later, the Indian Charge d’ Affaires was also summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to register Pakistan’s strong protest over the ceasefire violation committed by the Indian forces.
The two countries renewed their truce in February 2021 after back channel talks aimed at reviving the peace talks.
Though the process could not move forward, the ceasefire had been holding until this point. There had been certain incidents during the truce but the two sides sorted out those using their established mechanism. (With input from reuters)