ISLAMABAD: The heads of missions of the permanent members of the UN Security Council in Islamabad were briefed on the unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces, on the LoC and the Working Boundary, by the Foreign Office here on Thursday.
The heads of five permanent members of the Security Council (P5) – China, US, Russia, UK and France – were briefed by Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua and Director General Military Operations (DGMO) Maj Gen Sahir Shamshad Mirza on the surge in violations from the Indian side, particularly in the past two months.
The statement issued by the FO said that the foreign secretary stressed the unprecedented escalation by Indian occupation forces at the LoC and the Working Boundary in 2017.
She expressed grave concern over the increased frequency and duration of indiscriminate firing/shelling from the Indian side, which targeted villages and civilian populated areas resulting in the martyrdom of 45 civilians and injuries to 155, including women and children.
She highlighted that Indian aggression was in complete disregard of the 2003 ceasefire understanding and of international law. She added that the Indian actions are a serious threat to the maintenance of regional peace and tranquillity and may lead to a strategic miscalculation.
While emphasising the important role of the United Nations Military Observers Group (UNMOGIP), which has the mandate for maintaining peace and tranquillity at the LoC and the Working Boundary, the Janjua highlighted that Pakistan is fully cooperating and providing unfettered access to UNMOGIP, however, India is not cooperative and limits their access.
The statement further stated that Pakistan maintains that India should permit UNMOGIP to play its mandated role in line with the UNSC resolutions to ensure peace at the LoC and the Working Boundary.
“The situation is further aggravated by recent provocative and irresponsible statements from India about the so-called ‘surgical strike’ and their open declaration to repeat them, which is a clear manifestation of Indian aggression against Pakistan,” it said.
While the DGMO gave a comprehensive presentation on the current situation in the conflict zones, the heads of the missions assured that they would convey Pakistan’s concern to their respective capitals.