ISLAMABAD: On the death anniversary of Kashmiri freedom fighter Burhan Wani Shaheed on 8th July, when Kashmiris all over the world were protesting against Indian attrocities, Indian Army initiated unprovoked fire across LoC in Rawalakot Sector, targeting innocent civil population in village Tetrinote, Manwa, Satwal and Chaffar with mortars and rockets fire, resulting in death of five innocent citizens, including four women and an elderly man, while injuring another five, including three minor girls.
The Pakistan Army befittingly responded on Sunday causing substantial losses to men and material. Two Indian Army posts firing on innocent civilians have been destroyed and four Indian soldiers killed.
Pakistan Army shall protect civil population against unprovoked Indian aggression at all cost.
The Foreign Office (FO) protested with India and urged New Delhi to investigate civilian casualties in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) due to unprovoked ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC).
South Asia and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation Director General Dr Faisal summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations.
“Indian attempts to deflect international attention from the worsening situation in Indian-held Kashmir due to its repressive measures by heating up the LoC shall fail,” an FO press release stated.
The FO urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Agreement in letter and spirit, investigate the incident and maintain peace along the border.
The FO in its statement categorically rejected what it said were “the standard Indian allegations of infiltration across the LoC”.
Published in Daily Times, July 10th , 2017.
