ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has invited the entire diplomatic corps to visit theLine of Control on Tuesday and inspect the areas hit by Indian troops overthe weekend.
The Radio Pakistan quoted diplomatic sources as saying that invitationshave been extended to heads of missions of all embassies in Islamabad tovisit Jura, Shahkot and Nousehri sectors along the LoC and observe theground situation.
Indian forces used mortars and artillery to intentionally target civiliansin these sectors, which resulted in martyrdom of five civilians and onePakistan Army solider. Some houses, shops and vehicles were also damaged.Pakistan’s border troops responded befittingly and killed nine Indiansoldiers besides destroying two bunkers.
The invitations are extended in response to “a total lie” of the Indianarmy chief’s claim of hitting “terror launch pads” in Azad Kashmir, andIslamabad has summoned Indian Charge de affairs Gaurav Ahluwalia to provethe claim of his army chief before the foreign diplomats. Just a day ago,the Indian diplomat was conveyed a strong protest by the Foreign Officeover the unprovoked ceasefire violations.
A statement issued by the FO, SA & Saarc Director General Dr MohammadFaisal said “The Indian occupation forces, along the LoC and WorkingBoundary, have continuously been targeting civilian populated areas withartillery fire, heavy calibre mortars, and automatic weapons.”
“Heinous Indian targeting of civilians is a typical attempt by India todivert international attention from the humanitarian nightmare in IOJ&K[Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir],” it added.
As for the targeting of “so-called launchpads”, Pakistan called upon thefive permanent United Nations members, or P5, to press New Delhi for proofand concrete information.
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Islamabad also conveyed its willingness to arrange a visit of P5 diplomatsto the alleged locations “to expose Indian falsehood”.
“The deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas is indeed deplorableand contrary to human dignity, international human rights and humanitarianlaws. The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace andsecurity and may lead to a strategic miscalculation,” the FO statement read.
Dr Faisal urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 ceasefire agreement,investigate the numerous incidents of ceasefire violations, instruct theIndian forces to respect the agreement and maintain peace on the LoC andWorking Boundary.
He also urged the Indian side to permit the United Nations MilitaryObserver Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to perform its mandated roleas per the UN Security Council resolutions.
