Pakistan says India's ceasefire violations are against Ufa declarations

FO says protest has been lodged against India's 'provocative act' of ceasefire violations

A day after India’s Border Security Force resorted to ‘unprovoked’ firing, Pakistan lodged a protest with India over what it called a ‘provocative act’ against the understanding s reached at Ufa.

“Pakistan lodges protest at the provocative act, which is against the spirit of the understanding reached at the Ufa meeting, and hopes that the Indian government would observe the understanding reached between the two sides during 2003 to maintain peace and tranquility at the LoC and Working Boundary in the letter and spirit,” a Foreign Office statement read.

Further, the statement added, “The government of Pakistan expresses its deep concern at the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian Security forces at the LoC and the offensive posture adopted during the last few days.”

Read: Indian troops violate LoC ceasefire on Eid: ISPR

“It is deeply regretted that once again the ceasefire violations by the Indian troops are being committed during the Eid holidays, as was done by them last year, when many innocent civilians were killed,” the statement added.

“This time four civilians lost their lives on July 15 and July 16 when people were busy preparing for the most happy and sacred occasion of Eidul Fitr.”

Read: No Eid sweets exchanged between Pakistan, India forces at Wagah border

On Saturday, the first day of Eid, India’s Border Security Force (BSF) resorted to ‘unprovoked’ firing along the Line of Control (LOC) near Nezapir Sector of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. While no casualties were reported, the ISPR said such violations were regular on festive occasions.

Earlier, four civilians were killed ddue to Indian firing along the Working Boundary and the LoC.

Earlier, the Foreign Office had summoned Indian High Commissioner Dr T C A Raghavan and registered a strong protest with him over violation of Pakistani airspace by an Indian drone.

Read: Ceasefire violation: Pakistan lodges protest with UN military observers

These developments come days after an ice-breaking meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi in the Russian city of Ufa, where both sides decided to resume the dialogue process stalled since mid-2014.