NEW DELHi – A day after the Indian Army vowed to avenge the killing of fourIndian soldiers by Pakistani forces retaliatory fire, Pakistan DefenceMinister, Khurram Dastagir, warned India of a “response” in case of a“misadventure” by it.
“They (India) may have the right to start a misadventure but the right torespond, at what level and with what magnitude will be reserved by us.
He also said that Pakistan was committed to the 2003 ceasefire agreementwith India but said that it should not be interpreted as weakness torespond in case of a war. “Our commitment to abide by the ceasefireagreement is not a response limitation,” the Defence Minister said.
The Pakistan minister further claimed that the Indian forces were involvedin crimes against humanity in Kashmir. “It makes it incumbent on me todemand that there must be an international enquiry to determine the exactspectre of the crimes being committed by the Indian forces in Kashmir,” hesaid.
Speaking at another event, the defence minister said that Islamabad retainsthe right to decide the measure and modicum of response to ceasefireviolations by India.
Meanwhile, Pakistan also accused India of targeting civilians along theLine of Control (LoC), and even summoned Indian deputy high commissioner JPSingh to register a protest.
A report claimed that a woman and teenage boy got killed while seven othersgot injured in alleged firing by Indian forces.
A statement issued by the foreign office of Pakistan alleged that Indiaviolated ceasefire on Sunday in Nezapir, Nikial and Karela sectors. Thecountry further claimed that India has resorted to as many as 190 ceasefireviolations in 2018 so far and killed 13 civilians.
This comes a day after the Indian Army vowed to avenge the killing of foursoldiers in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Rajouri sector of Jammu andKashmir on Sunday. Army Vice Chief Sarath Chand said on Monday that Indiawould give a befitting reply to Pakistan and its action will speak foritself.
“That (retaliation) goes without saying. I think I don’t have to say that.Action will speak for itself. We will continue with our process of giving abefitting reply,” said Chand while speaking to mediapersons.
On Sunday, four Army personnel, including a Captain, were killed while fourpersons got injured after Pakistani troops retaliated to”unprovoked andindiscriminate” firing across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu andKashmir’s Poonch and Rajouri districts.