WASHINGTON: US State Department Spokeswoman Heather Nauert has urged Pakistan and India to negotiate to end hostility in their relations.
During a briefing in Washington, Nauert said that the US wants both countries to resolve their problems as early as possible for regional peace.
Negotiation is the only way to reduce tension, she added.
Responding to a question, the spokeswoman said that Afghan Taliban are not serious for talks, however, the Afghan government can negotiate whenever it wants.
On the other hand, Commander of the US Central Command General Joseph Votel said, “The enduring tension between the nuclear powers of Pakistan and India remains un-reconciled.”
On Tuesday, a 13-year-old boy was killed after Indian troops resorted to cross-border shelling in Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK).
On Friday, One person was martyred in unprovoked firing by the Indian troops across the Line of Control (LoC), according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
On Thursday, another labourer was martyred in unprovoked firing by the Indian troops across Line of Control in Rawalakot/Satwal Sector who was working at a civilian crush plant, at Poonch river bank.
AJK Disaster Management Authority data showed that 14 people have so far been killed in cross-border shelling in the current year, while 61 people have been injured in unprovoked Indian firing from across the border.
The Foreign Office issued a statement saying, despite repeated calls for restraint, India had continued to commit ceasefire violations. In 2018, the Indian forces carried out more than 400 ceasefire violations along the LoC and the Working Boundary which resulted in the death of 18 innocent civilians while injuring 68 others. This unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations by India had been continuing from 2017 when the Indian forces committed a total of 1,970 ceasefire violations.
The deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas was indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international human rights and humanitarian laws. The ceasefire violations by India were a big threat to regional peace and security, and could also lead to a strategic miscalculation.