*ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has again summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Mr.J.P. Singh and lodged a strong protest over the death of a 70-year-oldcivilian in cross-border shelling along the Line of Control.*

The Indian occupation forces used heavy automatic weapons and rockets onMarch 1 in Kotli/Jandrot and Chirikot Sectors, resulting in the shahadat ofinnocent civilian Muhammad Nazir while also injuring a woman identified asShamim Akhtar, a statement issued by the foreign office said.

“Despite calls for restraint, India continues to indulge in ceasefireviolations,” it lamented.

According to the foreign office, Indian forces carried out more than 400ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary in2018, killing 19 innocent civilians and injuries to 69 others.

“This unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations by India iscontinuing from the year 2017 when the Indian forces committed 1970ceasefire violations. The deliberate targeting of civilian populated areasis indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international humanrights and humanitarian laws.”

The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace andsecurity and may lead to a strategic miscalculation.

The foreign office urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefirearrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations;instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spiritand maintain peace on the LoC and the Working Boundary.