UNITED NATIONS: (APP) The United Nations Monday reiterated its concern over the clashes along the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region, in the wake of reports of the killing of seven Pakistani soldiers Sunday night when Indian troops violated the LoC in the Bhimber sector.
Responding to a question at the regular noon briefing, UN Deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said the world body has repeatedly voiced its disquiet at the continuing clashes between Indian and Pakistani troops, saying, "the concerns we have expressed -- remain."
The last statement the UN made on Kashmir was on Nov. 7, when Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, responding to a question, said, "What we've said and reiterated our position on the urging of both the Government of India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and encourage them to continue their efforts to resolve their differences peacefully and through dialogue. And, obviously, the Secretary General continues to watch the situation along the Line of [Control]."
Relations between Pakistan and India have been strained for several months, while cross-frontier shelling has intensified in recent weeks leading to deaths of civilians and soldiers stationed along the disputed frontier.
Tensions have been fraught since July when Indian-Ocuppied Kashmir was rocked by street protests after the killing of Burhan Was, a popular Kashmiri youth leader.
Pakistan launched an international campaign to highlight alleged rights abuses by Indian security forces in Kashmir.
New Delhi blamed Pakistan-based militants for an attack on an Indian army base in Uri in September, a charge Islamabad firmly rejected.