Pakistan lodges protest with India over ceasefire violations

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday summoned Indian Charge d’ Affairs Gaurav Ahluwalia to register Pakistan’s strong protest over the ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control (LoC) on 17 June 2020.

The violations resulted in shahadats of four innocent civilians and serious injuries to one.

Due to indiscriminate and unprovoked firing by the Indian occupation forces in Bagsar and Nikial Sectors of the LoC; 27 year old Razeem s/o Saleem; 25 year old Tehzeeb s/o Saleem; 13 year old Ali Maroof s/o Muhammad Maroof, residents of Ratta Jabbar village in Nikial Sector, and 60 year old Rasheeda Bibi w/o Muhammad Hussain, resident of Lewana Khaiter village in Bagsar Sector, embraced shahadat. Also, 61 year old Muhammad Hussain s/o Fateh Ali, resident of Lewana Khaiter village sustained serious injuries.

The Indian occupation forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB) have been continuously targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons.

This year, India has committed 1410 ceasefire violations to date, resulting in 12 shahadats and serious injuries to 102 innocent civilians. Condemning the targeting of innocent civilians by the Indian occupation forces, the DG (SA & SAARC) underscored that such senseless acts, in clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding and complete disregard for international human rights law and international norms, further vitiate the already tense atmosphere.

He added that by raising tensions along the LoC and the WB, India cannot divert attention from the worsening human rights situation in the Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IOJ&K).

The Indian government must realize that its irresponsible policies and unilateral actions are increasingly imperiling peace and security in the region. India must act responsibly in the interest of regional peace and stability.

The DG (SA & SAARC) called upon the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding; investigate this and other such incidents of deliberate ceasefire violations and maintain peace along the LoC and the WB.

He also urged that Indian side should permit the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its mandated role as per the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Resolutions.