ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry summoned the Indian High Commissioner on Monday and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violation by the Indian occupation forces on the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in the martyrdom of seven Pakistani soldiers in Bhimber area.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said that the foreign secretary deplored the increasing Indian ceasefire violations at the LoC and the Working Boundary, especially in the last two months, which was against the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding and the principles of international law.
The foreign secretary emphasized that the belligerent attitude of Indian occupation forces was a serious threat to the regional peace and security, and might lead to a strategic miscalculation.
The foreign secretary asked the Indian High Commissioner to convey to his government that it must stop the provocative firing and observe the ceasefire.
Pakistan was pursuing a policy of restraint, which should not be construed as a sign of weakness, he added.
Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry underlined that the Armed Forces of Pakistan did not initiate fire but would always respond in a befitting manner if fired upon.
Last night, seven Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom in unprovoked firing of Indian forces across the LoC in Bhimber Sector.
Meanwhile, the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz also condemned the unprovoked Indian firing on the LoC that has led to the Shahadat of seven Pakistani soldiers, and expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the Shuhada.
The adviser expressed grave concern over the recently increased frequency and duration of indiscriminate firing/shelling from the Indian side, deliberately targeting villages and civilian populated areas which has resulted in the Shahadat of 26 civilians and injuries to 107 including women and children in complete violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding and international law.
Sartaj Aziz expressed the apprehension that the Indian actions which constituted a threat to the maintenance of peace and security, may lead to strategic miscalculation. He emphasized that Pakistan was exercising maximum restraint in the face of Indian belligerence.
The adviser said that Pakistan is urging the United Nations Military Observers group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to send an urgent report to the UN Security Council to inform them about the serious ceasefire violations on LoC and the unwarranted escalation of tension between the two countries.
