Indian deputy HC summoned to FO

Pakistan on Monday lodged a strong protest against unprovoked ceasefire violations by Indian forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Nakial Sector (Kotli).

India’s ministry of external affairs summoned Pakistan’s high commissioner to New Delhi to lodge a formal protest against the “unprovoked” firing, a ministry statement said.

India’s official broadcaster All India Radio (AIR) said Indian military retaliated to the firing from Pakistan effectively and heavy exchanges were going on in Balalkote and Poonch sectors.

Three civilians were killed when their vehicle was hit by a shell fired from the Pakistan side in Mendhar sector of Poonch district, Jammu divisional commissioner Pawan Kotwal told IANS.

The bitter rivals signed a border ceasefire agreement in 2003 which has largely held, but both report violations, frequently accusing each other of unprovoked firing across their border.

Xinhua quoted Indian-controlled Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed as saying the fighting was ironic “at a time when the two countries should have been celebrating their independence”.

He said that the continuous shelling from across the border in recent weeks has “terrified” the people and created panic along the global Border and LoC from Poonch to Kathua. However, both sides occasionally exchange fire.

The sought-after huddle is scheduled for August 23 and 24 where the two countries are expected to raise each other’s concerns over the issues related to terrorism.

On Friday, Indian police and paramilitary soldiers maintained the curfew in Srinagar, the region’s main city, and several other parts of Kashmir to prevent any activities by separatists to mark Pakistan’s Independence Day.

Poonch SSP J.S.Johar said two of the critically injured civilians were airlifted to Jammu for specialised treatment but one of them, 10-year-old Moin Khan, succumbed late in the evening, raising the death toll to five.

After months of stalemate and recriminations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif spoke for almost an hour while visiting Russian Federation in July.

The spokesman added that the Indian envoy was conveyed that the Indian side must investigate the incident and share the findings of the investigations with Pakistan.