ISLAMABAD:
Pakistani and Indian forces continued to exchange fire along the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday as both countries accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement.
In an official statement, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Indian forces resorted to ‘unprovoked’ firing in the Kailer sector near Bagh and Nezapir sector near Rawlakot at LoC. “Pakistani troops befittingly responded to the Indian firing,” ISPR added.
There were no reports of loss of life or property in the latest exchange of fire.
India media, meanwhile, claimed Pakistani troops targeted forward areas in Kirni and Shahpur belts.
The ongoing clashes, which erupted on the first week of October, were the worst since the two countries agreed to a landmark ceasefire deal in 2003. Both countries have accused each other of starting the hostilities.
At least 20 people, mostly civilians including 12 from Pakistan, have so far been killed in the ongoing skirmishes.
Pakistan on Tuesday took a team of UN military observers to the affected villages near Sialkot along the Working Boundary to show them the damage and destruction caused by the ‘unprovoked’ Indian firing.
The move came on a day when military officials from the two countries spoke on hotline to discuss the prevailing situation.
However, the continuing firing along the LoC and Working Boundary suggested that the contact had made little difference in easing the tension.
Islamabad has stepped up diplomatic efforts to persuade the international community particularly the UN and key world capitals to urge New Delhi to stop violation of the ceasefire.
Pakistan has also shown its willingness for independent investigations to find out which country had initiated the ceasefire violations.
However, India is unlikely to accept any such offer given its position that the issue of Kashmir is a bilateral dispute between the two nuclear armed neighbours.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 16th, 2014.
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Pak media is not asked to report on the rangers who lay dead.Only civilians died right?because the Indian Army is exclusively targeting civilians and not Pak bunkers.Soo much soo for media freedom in Pak.