India summons Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner

The Indian Government on Wednesday summoned Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan, Syed Haider Shah, to lodge a strong protest over the killing of civilians in ceasefire violations by the Pakistan security forces. A seven-month-old infant died in the unprovoked firings from the Pak side on Monday in Bhimber Sector across the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

“It was conveyed that the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians, who are located away from the forward line of defences, by Pakistan forces using small arms and high caliber weapons is highly deplorable and condemned in the strongest terms. Targeting of innocent civilians including young children is against all established humanitarian norms and professional military conduct. Pakistan authorities were called upon to investigate into such heinous acts of killing innocent civilians and instruct its forces to desist from such acts immediately,”the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

“Our strong concerns were also shared at continued unprovoked firing and ceasefire violations across the Line of Control and the International Boundary. More than 1088 such violations have been carried out by Pakistan forces at the Line of Control and International Boundary so far during 2018 which have led to loss of 36 lives and injuries to 127 persons.

The Pakistan side was also asked to end the support being given to cross border infiltration of terrorists, including through covering fire. In 2018, Indian security forces have thwarted attempts by 53 terrorists to infiltrate and have neutralised 5 terrorists at the time of crossing the Line of Control,” the MEA added.