The Foreign Office (FO) of Pakistan summoned the Indian charge d’affaires on Tuesday to express strong condemnation over the killing of an elderly man in Kotli’s Nikial sector, along the Line of Control (LoC). The 60-year-old man was a victim of the Indian army’s “unprovoked firing,” which occurred in violation of the ceasefire agreement between Islamabad and New Delhi.
In an official statement issued today, the FO underscored the need for an investigation into the incident and urged the Indian government to uphold the ceasefire understanding. The FO emphasized that the ceasefire violation is a clear breach of the 2003 ceasefire agreement, which was reaffirmed in February 2021.
Additionally, the FO stressed the importance of maintaining peace and tranquility at the LoC. It highlighted that targeting innocent civilians goes against human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws.
Earlier this year, in February, India and Pakistan recommitted themselves to the 2003 ceasefire arrangement at the LoC and agreed to address core issues that could undermine peace and stability in the region. However, there have been multiple instances of ceasefire violations by the Indian side this year.
In June, two civilians were martyred, and another injured as the Indian Army indiscriminately fired at a group of shepherds along the LoC. The FO summoned the Indian charge d’affaires in June as well to register a protest and condemn the incident.
In another incident, in May, Indian troops shot dead a 25-year-old individual who inadvertently crossed from Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Similarly, in the same month, a 65-year-old widow from the Pandu sector of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Jhelum valley district was mercilessly killed by the Indian army when she accidentally crossed the LoC while picking medicinal plants.
The repeated ceasefire violations by the Indian side demonstrate a disregard for the lives and well-being of innocent civilians residing along the LoC. Pakistan is committed to peace and stability in the region and expects India to respect the ceasefire agreement and cease all acts of aggression against civilians.