India continues LoC violations

• Youth killed as Indians violate ceasefire protocol in three separate sectors
• Indian defence minister says forces have ‘freehand’ at LoC

Amassing courage from Indian Defence Minister AK Antony’s statement that Indian armed forces had a free hand to appropriately respond to situation at the troubled Line of Control (LoC), an emboldened Indian Army violated the ceasefire protocol at three separate sectors on Monday, killing a youth.

Indian Defence Minister AK Antony said earlier in the day that the armed forces were free to appropriately respond to the developing situation at the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

“The armed forces have freedom to respond to the developing situation there appropriately,” Antony said at the launch of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.

To validate Antony’s remarks, the Indians used heavy weapons in what the Rangers sources said was sixth incident of firing over the last two weeks.

The Indian guns fell silent after Pakistan Rangers responded to the firing in befitting manner. The sources said the Rangers would formally lodge a protest with the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) over the incident.

The three LoC violations were reported at Nakial Sector, Nanga Topa and Panama.

The Indian forces continued violating the ceasefire protocol throughout Monday, resorting to unprovoked firing and mortar shelling in Charikot sector, damaging several houses in the area.

Pakistani security forces guarding the borderline fired back following the violation of cease fire. The exchange of fire continued in the area for some time.

The Indian forces’ firing and shelling in Kotli martyred a youth and injured his sister in the wee hours of Monday.

Sources said a mortar shell fired by Indian troops hit the house in Donga Gambhir, killing Zubair and injuring his sister.

The Pakistani government expressed “serious concern” over the continuous ceasefire violations by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) and the Foreign Office summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner to raise this concern that resulted in loss of an innocent civilian life in Rawalakot region.

The Foreign Office said, “Pakistan calls upon India to uphold the ceasefire over the LoC and reiterates its commitment to the Ceasefire Agreement of 2003, which should be respected in letter and spirit.”

“Pakistan also urges the need for abiding by and strengthening existing military mechanisms to ensure that such violations do not recur.”

The statement said, “Pakistan was committed to a constructive, sustained and result-oriented process of engagement with India and believes that serious efforts need to be made in maintaining a positive atmosphere and avoid negative propaganda.”

The situation remains tense between the two neighbours since New Delhi accused Pakistan Army of killing Indian troops in held-Kashmir.

Islamabad has been exercising restraint despite Indian aggression after the recent events in which its High Commission was targeted by protesters in New Delhi.