Islamabad (Agencies): The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday summoned Indian Charge d’Affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia to register Pakistan's strong protest on the ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in Bagsar and Nikial Sectors.
According to an FO press release, Director-General General (South Asia and SAARC) Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry summoned the Indian envoy for ceasefire violations along the LoC on June 17, after four innocent civilians were martyred and one injured.
Due to indiscriminate and unprovoked firing by the Indian armed forces in Bagsar and Nikial sectors of the LoC, three residents of Ratta Jabbar village in Nikial sector were martyred. They were identified as 27-year-old Razeem, 25-year-old Tehzeeb, 13-year-old Ali Maroof.
In Lewana Khaiter village in Bagsar sector 60-year-old Rasheeda Bibi was martyred, whereas 61-year-old Muhammad Hussain sustained serious injuries.
The FO statement said that he 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.
“In 2020, India has committed 1410 ceasefire violations to date, resulting in 12 shahadats and serious injuries to 102 innocent civilians,” the statement added.
Condemning the targeting of innocent civilians by the Indian occupation forces, the DG (SA & SAARC) underscored that such senseless acts, are a clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding and complete disregard for international human rights law and international norms.
He added that by raising tensions along the LoC and the WB, India could not 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 were increasingly imperiling peace and security in the region. India must act responsibly in the interest of regional peace and stability,” the statement said.
The DG (SA & SAARC called the Indian envoy to respect the ceasefire agreement, investigate these incidents 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.