140 documented violations: Pakistan concerned over India’s unprovoked border violations
Foreign Office urges restraint, says Islamabad has right to defend itself
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan on Saturday expressed concern that India continues to engage in unprovoked violations of the working boundary. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, indiscriminate firing on Charwah, Harpal and Chatrar sectors on August 23 was the 20th violation by Indian forces this month alone.
From June 1 to August 30, 140 violations by India of the working boundary and LoC have been recorded. These violations have also been reported to the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) and protests lodged with the Indian government through diplomatic channels earlier this month, the Foreign Office said.
Last Tuesday, the director general of military operations in his weekly hotline contact with his Indian counterpart conveyed details of these violations. It was agreed that regular contacts be maintained between local commanders, sector commanders, and Pakistan Rangers and Indian Border Security Force to observe the ceasefire.
However, a day after the conversation, India carried out unprovoked firing on Charwah and Phukhlian sectors.
“Pakistani forces would continue to exercise restraint but would have the right to respond in self-defence,” the Foreign Office said.
Pakistan has expressed its disappointment on a statement of the Indian prime minister attempting to shift the onus of cancelling the foreign secretary-level talks on Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2014.
Pakistan on Saturday expressed concern that India continues to engage in unprovoked violations of the working boundary. According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, indiscriminate firing on Charwah, Harpal and Chatrar sectors on August 23 was the 20th violation by Indian forces this month alone.
From June 1 to August 30, 140 violations by India of the working boundary and LoC have been recorded. These violations have also been reported to the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) and protests lodged with the Indian government through diplomatic channels earlier this month, the Foreign Office said.
Last Tuesday, the director general of military operations in his weekly hotline contact with his Indian counterpart conveyed details of these violations. It was agreed that regular contacts be maintained between local commanders, sector commanders, and Pakistan Rangers and Indian Border Security Force to observe the ceasefire.
However, a day after the conversation, India carried out unprovoked firing on Charwah and Phukhlian sectors.
“Pakistani forces would continue to exercise restraint but would have the right to respond in self-defence,” the Foreign Office said.
Pakistan has expressed its disappointment on a statement of the Indian prime minister attempting to shift the onus of cancelling the foreign secretary-level talks on Pakistan.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2014.