Pakistan summons India’s diplomat over ceasefire violations at LoC

• FO denies reports of an alleged incursion by Indian troops across Line of Control

ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office (FO) on Tuesday summoned India’s acting deputy high commissioner to condemn the ceasefire violation and martyrdom of three Pakistan Army soldiers along the Line of Control (LoC) inside Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK).

The firing by Indian forces in Rakhchikri sector of the Poonch district of Azad Jammu Kashmir had provided a cover for the planting of the improvised explosive devices (IEDs) by non-state actors, which resulted in the martyrdom of three soldiers, according to the FO statement issued here.

The Foreign Office categorically rejected claims by the Indian media that Indian forces had crossed the Line of Control to attack Pakistani troops. “The false claims by India about the alleged cross-LoC adventures are a figment of their imagination and counter-productive for peace and tranquility on the Line of Control,” the statement said.

The Indian side had received a befitting response from the Pakistani forces and their guns were silenced, it said. FO spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal summoned the Indian envoy and urged his side to respect the 2003 ceasefire agreement.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also denied Indian claims that their troops had crossed over the Line of Control. “No Indian soldier crossed over Line of Control,” the statement read. “Indian media claim is a continuation of their self-defeating projections to satisfy the domestic audience.”

The heavily militarised Line of Control splits the disputed Kashmiri state intro parts but skirmishes and firing is in a serious breach of a ceasefire agreement signed by Pakistan and India in November 2003. According to reports, India has breached the truce for more than 1,300 times since January this year, leaving 52 people dead on this side and another 257 injured.