Amid escalating tensions, Pakistan Friday lodged a strong protest with India by summoning its top envoy over civilian casualties due to the repeated unprovoked firing at the Working Boundary. "Indian High Commissioner Dr T.C.A. Raghavan was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, as the government of Pakistan has strongly protested over the latest cease-fire violations by India in Harpal and Chaprar sectors at the Working Boundary, Foreign Office said.
While condemning the Indian practice of targeting civilians on purpose, the government of Pakistan expressed its deep concern at the continued hostility at the LoC and the Working Boundary, said a Foreign Office statement.
It stated that the Indian government was also urged to stop forthwith the cease-fire violations and observe the 2003 Cease-fire Arrangement for restoration of peace and tranquillity at the LoC and the Working Boundary. It stated that 47 civilians are injured including 22 women out of which 10 are in critical condition. The injured are undergoing treatment at the CMH Sialkot. "The government of Pakistan offers its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prays for the quick recovery of the injured," it said, adding mainly three villages Kundunpur, Bajra Garhi and Thathi were targeted due to which many houses have also been damaged.
It further stated that firing by the Indian side started at around 2330 hours last night, when Pakistani troops confronted India for using an excavator, near the Working Boundary without following the established SOPs. "Pakistani troops initially exercised restraint, however, responded befittingly when India started heavy firing. The firing ended today at 1100 hours," the statement said. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned India against any plan of a "limited war", saying there is no space for a "limited war" with India. "There is no space for a limited war ... Any attack on us will depend on Pakistan's choice of response and timing..." he twitted.
Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz also condemned the unprovoked Indian firing on the Working Boundary and urged the Indian side to stop these cease-fire violations forthwith and restore peace and tranquility at the LoC and the Working Boundary. In a statement, he conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and prayers for the quick recovery of the injured. The Adviser also expressed the extreme concern of the government of Pakistan at the continued cease-fire violations by India on the LoC and the Working Boundary.
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