Pakistan on Thursday summoned top Indian diplomat over the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Indian forces that resulted in martyrdom of a laborer at Poonch River bank. According to a Foreign Office statement, Director General South Asia and SAARC Dr Mohammad Faisal summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh on Thursday and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control on Thursday in Rawalakot/Satwal sector.
It stated that the unprovoked firing resulted in martyrdom of a laborer, working at a civilian crush plant, at Poonch River bank. Despite calls for restraint, India continues to indulge in ceasefire violations, it stated, adding in 2018, the Indian forces have carried out more than 391 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, resulting in the martyrdom of 16 innocent civilians and injuries to 65 others.
This unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations by India has been continuing since the year 2017 when the Indian forces committed more than 1,970 ceasefire violations, it added. "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," the Foreign Office warned.
The director general also 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.