Pakistan on Sunday summoned Indian top diplomat and registered a strong protest over ceasefire violations by the Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC), leaving one civilian martyred and two others critically injured.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, Indian Charge d’Affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia was summoned by Director General (South Asia and Saarc) Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri to protest the “indiscriminate and unprovoked” firing by the Indian forces in in Hajipir and Bedori sectors of the LoC.

“13-year-old Iqra Shabbir d/o Shabbir Ahmed, embraced shahadat [martyrdom]; and 32-year-old Zahida Bano w/o Shabbir Ahmed and 12-year-old Saddam Rafique, s/o Rafique Butt sustained serious injuries, all are residents of Mensar village,” the communique added.

The Indian occupation forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB) have been continuously targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons, the FO said, adding that India has committed 1,440 ceasefire violations to date, resulting in 13 deaths and serious injuries to 104 innocent civilians.

Ceasefire violation by Indian troops kill one, injure two: DG ISPR

Condemning the targeting of innocent civilians by the Indian troops, the DG South Asia and Saarc underscored that such senseless acts, in clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding and complete disregard for international human rights law and international norms, further vitiated the already tense atmosphere.

He added that by raising tensions along the LoC and the WB, the Modi government could not divert attention from the worsening human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K). New Delhi must realise that its irresponsible policies and unilateral actions were increasingly imperiling peace and security in the region, Chaudhri said.

“India must act responsibly in the interest of regional peace and security,” the statement read.

The DG Saarc called upon the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding; investigate this and other such incidents of deliberate ceasefire violations and maintain peace along the LoC and the WB.

He also urged that Indian side should permit the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its mandated role as per the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/2247490/1-pakistan-summons-indian-diplomat-condemn-truce-violations/