Following repeated ceasefire violations and deliberate targeting of civilians by Pakistan forces, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), on Friday, summoned Pakistan’s Deputy High Commission Syed Haider Shah. The MEA has registered strong protests at the loss of 3 lives and injuries to 9 others because of ceasefire violations by Pakistan forces on 18th and 19th January, 2018.
More than 100 such violations have been carried out by Pak forces on LOC & International Border so far during 2018. It was conveyed to the concerned authorities in Pak that deliberate targeting of innocent civilians was against all established humanitarian norms & practices: MEA
— ANI (@ANI) January 19, 2018
In a statement, the MEA has said that Pakistan was reminded of the November 2003 ceasefire understanding for maintaining pease and tranquility along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Boundary.
This comes after Pakistani troops on Friday resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) in the RS Pura Sector of Jammu and Kashmir, where a 17-year-old girl and a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan were killed. At least four more were injured in the attack.
Two other civilians were injured in the ceasefire violation in the Ramgarh Sector, while five more were injured in another ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Hiranagar Sector in Kathua, all in Jammu and Kashmir. This is the second consecutive day when Pakistan Rangers heavily shelled civilian areas and border outposts (BoPs).
Earlier on Friday, Pakistan, too had summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner J. P. Singh to condemn the ‘unprovoked ceasefire violations’ by Indian Forces along the international border in Sialkot which left one civilian dead and 9 others injured.
India and Pakistan routinely exchange fire across the LoC, causing heavy losses to both soldiers and civilians from both sides.
