Pakistan summons Indian diplomat over 'ceasefire violations'

Islamabad: Pakistan on Monday summoned India's Deputy High Commissioner and lodged a protest over alleged ceasefire violations by Indian troops along the border which authorities here claim killed three civilians.

India's Deputy High Commissioner J P Singh was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs here by Director General, South Asia and SAARC, Muhammad Faisal, to lodge a protest over the "ceasefire violations by India", a Pakistan Foreign Office statement said.

The alleged ceasefire violations took place on the nights of 23rd, 24th and 25th October at Shakargarh and Zafarwal Sectors of the Working Boundary, according to the statement.

"As a result of latest ceasefire violations by the Indian Border Security Forces three civilians, including a teenage girl" were killed and 23 others got injured, the Foreign Office said.

Expressing "deep concern" over "ceasefire violations" by the Indian side at the Working Boundary, Pakistan called "intentional targeting of civilians by India a detestable and deplorable act," it said.

The Pakistan government also stressed upon India to forthwith stop "ceasefire violations" and "respect" the 2003 Ceasefire Arrangement for restoration of peace and tranquillity at the LoC and the Working Boundary, it said.

Meanwhile, the summoning of the Indian diplomat came even as Pakistan targeted 30 border outposts and several hamlets today with mortar bombs and heavy machine guns in Samba and Kathua districts injuring a civilian, as it continued ceasefire violations for the fourth day.

The ceasefire violations by Pakistan, which had stopped after the Director General-level talks between BSF and Pakistan Rangers in Delhi on September 12, resumed on October 23 and a civilian has been killed and seven injured till now.