Print Print edition: 2017-11-18

Indian envoy summoned over ceasefire violations

Published November 18, 2017 Updated November 18, 2017 12:00am

Pakistan summoned top Indian diplomat on Friday and lodged a strong protest over killing of two civilians and injuries to five others due to unprovoked ceasefire violations. According to a Foreign Office statement, Director General South Asia and SAARC) Dr Mohammad Faisal summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian forces in Chirikot and Nezapir sectors on November 17, resulting in the martyrdom of two civilians.
Those lost their lives in the Indian firing were identified as Rasheeda Begum, resident of Truthi village, and Mohammad Haneef, resident of Nezapir. Five civilians including two women also got injured. "Despite calls for restraint, India continues to indulge in ceasefire violations," the statement stated. In 2017, Indian forces have carried out more than 1,300 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, resulting in the martyrdom of 52 civilians and injuries to 170 others, as compared to 382 ceasefire violations in 2016, it pointed out.
It further stated that the deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity and 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," it warned. The director general (SA & SAARC) urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire in letter and spirit; and maintain peace on the LoC and the Working Boundary. He urged that the Indian side should permit UNMOGIP to play its mandated role as per the UN Security Council resolutions.