NEW DELHI – India on Monday summoned the Pakistan deputy high commissionerhere and lodged a strong protest against the killing of civilians byPakistani forces, terming the incident “highly deplorable”.

Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah was also told that suchheinous acts are against established humanitarian norms and professionalmilitary conduct, the External Affairs Ministry said.

“It was conveyed that the targeting of innocent civilians at forward lineof defences, by Pakistan forces using is highly deplorable and is condemnedin the strongest terms,” the ministry said.

Shah was summoned to the South Block and a strong protest was lodged at theloss of lives of Indian civilians in ceasefire violations by Pakistanforces on 18 March 2018 in Bhimber Gali Sector across the LoC in Jammu &Kashmir, the ministry added.