Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Affairs Ministry on Friday summoned Indian High Commissioner Dr TCA Raghavan to record a protest against the latest ceasefire violation by India in Harpal and Chaprar sectors that resulted in the death of six people, including a woman and a child.

Another 47 people, including 22 women, are injured. As many as 10 of them in a critical condition. The injured are being treated at the Sialkot CMH. The government offered condolences to the grieving families and prayed for the quick recovery of the injured.

Mainly three villages Kundunpur, Bajra Garhi and Thathi were targeted in which several houses were also damaged. The Indian firing started at around 2330hrs, when Pakistani troops confronted India for using an excavator, near the Working Boundary without following the established SOPs. Pakistani troops initially exercised restraint, however, responded befittingly when India started heavy firing. The firing ended at 1100hrs.

While condemning the Indian practice of targeting civilians on purpose, the Government of Pakistan expressed its deep concern at the continued hostility at the LoC and the Working Boundary. The Indian Government was urged to stop forthwith the ceasefire violations and observe the 2003 Ceasefire Arrangement for restoration of peace and tranquility at the LoC and the Working Boundary. Separately, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif expressed concern over unprovoked firing by the Indian security forces at Working Boundary.

According to a PM House statement, Nawaz directed the Foreign Office and defence authorities to take up the matter with their counterparts.