Pakistan lodges protest with India for its unprovoked firing along LoC

Following the recent and continuous violation of the Line of Control (LoC) by India, Pakistan has lodged a protest with the neighbouring country, asking it to respect the 2003 Ceasefire arrangement and maintain peace.

According to a Foreign Office (FO) statement on Wednesday, FO Spokesperson and Director General (SA & SAARC) Mohammad Faisal has summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia. The FO condemned India's unprovoked ceasefire violations on July 22 and July 23 along the LoC.

"The Indian forces along the Line of Control and the Working boundary are continuously targeting civilian populated areas with heavy weapons," the statement said. On July 22, in Bagsar Sector along LoC, 12-year-old Mohammad Riaz was martyred while 18-year-old Zabeeullah sustained injuries.

Similarly, on July 23, Jan Bibi was martyred while three civilians Naseem, Parveen Bibi and Khalid sustained injuries due to India's violations in Hotspring, Jandrot and Banchirian Sectors along LoC. The statement further said that the escalation in ceasefire violations by India is continuing from the year 2017.

The statement added that the deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas is 'deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international human rights and humanitarian laws'. "The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation."

The FO spokesperson has urged India to respect the ceasefire, in letter and in spirit. "The Indian side should permit United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its mandated role as per the United Nation Security Council resolutions," the statement quoted the FO spokesperson.