PM visits LoC with COAS, slams India for targetting civilians

• Abbasi approves protection bunkers for civilian population along LoC

RAWALPINDI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa visited the Line of Control (LoC) on Friday alongside Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Abbasi approved funds to develop community protection bunkers for the safety of civilian population along the LoC.

He was briefed by the general officer commanding on the situation along the LoC and on Indian ceasefire violations in which civilians were targeted.

The prime minister condemned India’s approach of targeting civilians and reiterated Pakistan’s political, diplomatic and moral support to the Kashmir struggle.

PM Abbasi, while visiting the families of those who lost their lives in cross-border firing, announced an increase in financial assistance to affectees and approved funds to develop community protection bunkers for the safety of the civilian population, the ISPR said.

The prime minister also condemned the “unprofessional approach of targeting innocent civilians” by the Indian army from across the Line of Control, a statement from the ISPR said.

He reiterated Pakistan’s political, diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris for their just struggle.

PM & COAS visited LOC. “Pakistan shall continue its political, diplomatic and moral support to Kashmiris for their just struggle”, PM. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/KjXmztLsOB

— Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor (@OfficialDGISPR) November 10, 2017

The PM also interacted with troops and acknowledged and appreciated their contributions and sacrifices for the defence of Pakistan and protection of the people of AJK, according to the handout.

“No other army of the world is parallel to the Pakistan Army. Restoration of peace against terrorism despite our commitments against perpetual threats from the eastern border is a milestone achievement, and together we shall take it towards enduring peace and stability,” Abbasi said.

The COAS also directed the immediate evacuation of a teenage girl to Armed Forces Institute for Rehabilitation Medicine (AFIRM) for the provision of an artificial limb as she had lost her leg due to Indian shelling.

Earlier, upon arrival, the prime minister and the COAS were received by Rawalpindi Corps Commander.