Border tensions: Pakistan delivers demarche to India over LoC violations

Indian HC summoned a second time in a week, told such violations could derail peace.

NEW DEHLI/ ISLAMABAD:

For the second time in a week, the foreign office summoned a top Indian diplomat on Friday to lodge its protest over “repeated, unacceptable and unprovoked” attacks on Pakistani soldiers by the Indian army at the Line of Control (LoC).

The protest appears to be intense, as Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani told the Indian High Commissioner Sharat Sabharwal that repeated ceasefire violations, could cast a shadow on the peace process between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

“These attacks not only vitiate the atmosphere but also create unnecessary and avoidable distractions in our efforts towards the peace process,” Jilani told a news conference after his meeting with the Indian envoy.

The latest summoning of the Indian high commissioner, was prompted by yet another ceasefire violation at the de facto border, in the disputed region of Kashmir, where a Pakistani soldier was killed by the Indian forces.

This was the fourth casualty in the ongoing border clashes, which started last Sunday, when Pakistan accused Indian forces of killing its soldier in Haji Pir Sector at the LoC.

Jilani urged the Indian government, to thoroughly investigate the repeated violations of the ceasefire along the LoC by the Indian troops, and also take necessary steps to ensure their non-recurrence.

He reiterated Pakistan’s offer to hold an independent inquiry into the recent incidents of ceasefire violations through the United Nations Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).

The foreign secretary reminded the Indian government of its commitment to fully implement the ceasefire along the de facto border, which is an important confidence building measure that has worked well since 2003.

“Such unprovoked attacks are against the spirit of the ongoing peace process,” Jilani said, adding the Indian high commissioner agreed that both sides must adhere to the ceasefire agreement.

When asked, Jilani insisted that Pakistan had pursued, with seriousness, dialogue with India and had taken significant steps to create a peaceful environment.

“Pakistan reiterates its commitment to a peaceful resolution of all outstanding issues through a sustained and result-oriented dialogue with India,” he maintained.

Western help sought

The foreign ministry also invited ambassadors of key western capitals, including the United States, to brief them about the recent border clashes between Pakistan and India forces.

The western diplomats, according to the foreign secretary, voiced their concern over the escalation of tensions between the two countries.

“We expect that they (Western countries) will play their role to help defuse the tension,” said Jilani.

The ongoing tension was the worst since November 2008 Mumbai attacks that derailed the composite dialogue between the two countries.

Indian reaction

Meanwhile in New Delhi, Indian Defence Minister A K Antony said that ceasefire violations by Pakistan were a cause of serious concern for India and the government would take all necessary steps to protect national interests.

However, a leader of India’s opposition, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Yashwant Sinha hinted towards a suspension of dialogue between the regional giants and conceded that the previous National Democratic Alliance government – in which the BJP was a partner – may have made a mistake by engaging the neighbour in talks.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 12^th, 2013.