RAWALPINDI: One civilian was killed and 12 sustained injuries on Thursday by unprovoked Indian firing along the Working Boundary, an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) press release said.
“An intense and heavy exchange of fire continued for 11 hours in Harpal and Chaprar sectors on the Working Boundary,” ISPR said, adding that Pakistani troops had responded befittingly to Indian firing and inflicted heavy casualties while targeting Indian posts. “Another heavy exchange of fire took place at 8pm in Shakarghar sector along the Working Boundary. Pakistani Rangers responded to Indian unprovoked firing,” the ISPR said. One civilian was killed and seven others were injured in this area. A day earlier, heavy mortar shelling by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) on villages along the Working Boundary had killed two residents of villages in the Chaprar sector and left another eight badly wounded. In total, more than five people, including an infant, have been killed and 33 residents of villages along the Working Boundary have been injured since Monday. For the third time in less than two weeks, the Indian deputy high commissioner was summoned to the Foreign Office where the South Asia director general lodged a protest over ceasefire violations by the BSF in the Chaprar and Harpal sectors and along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Bhimber sector. The Indian diplomat was asked to ensure that the incidents were investigated and that the findings shared with Pakistan.
PM condemns: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the recent unprovoked ceasefire violations at the Working Boundary and the Line of Control (LoC) by Indian forces. In a statement, he categorically stated that these violations if continued would not go unpunished. “Pakistan has exercised maximum restraint, but our quest for peace must not be misconstrued as a sign of weakness,” he said.
The PM said Pakistan was a peace-loving nation and it believed in resolution of all outstanding issues and disputes through dialogue. “As a responsible state, we have been endeavoring for regional peace and stability for the collective betterment and prosperity of South Asia,” he said. “It is unfortunate that our initiative and efforts have not been reciprocated by India. India should investigate the recent incidents of ceasefire violation and share the findings with Pakistan,” he said. He said India should instruct its troops to respect the ceasefire in letter and spirit and refrain from intentionally targeting villages at the Working Boundary and the LoC.
