RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Chief of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has said that India is disregarding international conventions and norms, and has crossed all limits to terrorise Pakistan’s civilian population.
His remarks came when he visited the Rangers Headquarters on the Working Boundary on Friday after the Indian troops firing caused multiple casualties there, according to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
During his visit, the army chief was given a briefing about the latest situation on the Working Boundary.
“India has blatantly violated ceasefire along the Working Boundary and Line of Control (LoC),” General Raheel was quoted as saying by the ISPR.
The COAS said that the Indian firing and violation targeting civilians is highly unprofessional, unethical, irresponsible and cowardly act.
“We can sense definite linkage between terrorism being sponsored by India in various parts of Pakistan and belligerence along the LoC,” the army chief further said.
The army chief appreciated high morale of deployed troops and civilians. He also commended Rangers for their befitting response to unprovoked firing.
Later, the army chief visited the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Sialkot to inquire about health of injured civilians and directed concerned authorities to ensure best possible treatment to them.
Earlier in the morning, eight people including one woman and a child were martyred and 47 others injured including 24 women and 11 children when the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel resorted to shelling along the Working Boundary in Sialkot’s Charwah, Harpal, Chaprar and Sucheetgarh sectors.
Nawaz Sharif concerned over Indian firing at Working Boundary
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif while voicing his concerns over unprovoked firing by the Indian troops on the Working Boundary, expressed condolence over loss of innocent lives due to the firing.
The prime minister directed the Foreign Office and defence authorities to take up the matter with their counterparts.
In a statement, the Adviser to the Prime Minister on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz also expressed extreme concern of the Pakistani government at the continued ceasefire violations by India.
Sartaj Aziz urged India to stop ceasefire violations forthwith and restore peace and tranquility at the LoC and the Working Boundary.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Office summoned the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad TCA Raghawan and lodged a strong protest with him over ceasefire violations along the Working Boundary by the Indian forces.
“Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry received the Indian envoy. He was conveyed Pakistan’s protest and concern over continued LOC/working boundary violations,” the Foreign Office said in a statement.
