The Inter-Services Public Relations Saturday said the Indian army violating the international conventions has used cluster bombs to target civilians along the Line of Control (LoC). Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor condemned the use of cluster bombs by the Indian army in violation of international conventions.
Violating Geneva Convention and international humanitarian law, Indian Army on the night 30-31 July targeted innocent citizens including women and children in Neelum Valley through artillery using cluster ammunition. Resultantly, 2 civilians including a 4-year-old boy were martyred while 11 others got critically injured. According to ISPR, the use of cluster ammunition is prohibited under the Convention on Cluster Ammunition since it has severe impact on non-combatants. This blatant Indian aggression against all international norms exposes true character of Indian Army and their moral standing.
The ISPR also urged that it's time for international community to take notice of this Indian blatant violation of international laws on use of cluster ammunition targeting innocent citizens.
In a tweet, the DG ISPR said, "Use of cluster bombs by Indian Army violating international conventions is condemnable. No weapon can suppress determination of Kashmiris to get their right of self-determination. Kashmir runs in blood of every Pakistani. Indigenous freedom struggle of Kashmiris shall succeed, IA."
Recently, the Indian government warned of the threat of "terror" attacks in the occupied valley.
Using the threats as justification, the Indian government called in thousands of military reinforcements to the Himalayan territory. The Indian government has admitted that 10,000 extra troops were sent to Occupied Kashmir a week ago, but media reports Friday said a further 25,000 had been ordered there. The government has declined to say how many are in the new reinforcements.
Cluster munitions, or cluster bombs are air-dropped or ground-launched explosive weapons that releases smaller 'bomblets' over a wide area. They pose serious risks to civilians during and after attacks, as the unexploded bomblets can kill or maim civilians long after a conflict has ended, and are costly to locate and remove.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), cluster munitions "kill and injure large numbers of civilians and cause long lasting socio-economic problems."
As per general obligation and scope of application, no country is allowed to use, develop, produce, otherwise acquire, stockpile, retain or transfer to anyone, directly or indirectly, cluster munitions. No state is even allowed to assist, encourage or induce anyone to engage in any activity prohibited to a state party under this convention. The ICRC urges all states to seize it.
The ISPR said it is time for the international community to take notice of India's "blatant violation of international laws on the use of cluster ammunition targeting innocent citizens".
In the year 2019, Indian forces have so far committed 1,824 ceasefire violations, which in consequence resulted in the martyrdom of 16 civilians and injuries to 105 others.
Earlier this week, Pakistan's Foreign Office summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia and lodged a strong protest over unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control (LoC) on July 30, 2019.
South Asia and SAARC Director General Dr Mohammad Faisal summoned Ahluwalia and strongly condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations.
Due to the prevailing tense situation, Pakistan has evacuated 50 Chinese nationals to Muzaffarabad who had been working on a dam project along the confluence of Neelum and Jhelum Rivers.
The Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary are continuously targeting civilian populated areas with heavy mortars and automatic weapons.
The deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas is indeed 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.
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