Islamabad: The Pakistan Army has said that at least four civilians were killed in alleged firing by the Indian security forces along the LoC.
Spokesperson of the Pakistan Armed Forces. Major General Babar Iftikhar, said that the firing targeted the civilian population in Nikial and Bagsar sectors along the Line of Control.
“Indian Army troops initiated unprovoked CFV (ceasefire violations) in Nikial & Bagsar sectors along the LoC targeting civilian population,” he said in a statement.
Four civilians including a woman in Ratta Jabbar and Lewana Khaiter village were killed while another was injured, the officer said.
The spokesman further said that the Pakistan Army troops “responded effectively to the Indian firing”.
Meanwhile, Pakistan on Thursday also summoned Indian Charge d’Affaires Gaurav Ahluwalia and registered its protest over the alleged ceasefire violations by the Indian forces along the LoC.
Director General (South Asia & SAARC) Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri registered a “strong protest over the ceasefire violations” on June 17, 2020, the Foreign Office said in a statement.
It said four persons were killed and one seriously injured due to “indiscriminate and unprovoked firing”.
The Indian forces along “the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB) have continuously been targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars and automatic weapons,” it alleged.
“The Indian government must realize that its irresponsible policies and unilateral actions are increasingly imperiling peace and security in the region and must act responsibly in the interest of regional peace and stability,” the FO quoted Chaudhri as saying.
He called upon the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding; investigate this and other such incidents of ceasefire violations and maintain peace along the LoC and the border.
