India to summon Pak High Commissioner Abdul Basit to lodge protest over LoC violations

To lodge a strong protest over the recent ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the LoC India will summon Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit. Six people, including a woman were killed in the recent ceasefire violation.

According to sources, Basit will be summoned to the External Affairs Ministry by Secretary East Anil Wadhwa during which India will convey its strong protest over the issue. Six people have been killed in heavy firing and mortar bomb shelling by Pakistani troops at several Indian posts and civilian areas since yesterday.

On Independence Day yesterday, five civilians, including a sarpanch were killed and five others injured in heavy firing and mortar bomb shelling. A woman was killed today in heavy mortar shelling from the Pakistani side.

Basit will be summoned even as the two countries get ready for the first-ever NSA-level talks here on terrorism related issues next week. National Security Advisors of India and Pakistan -- Ajit Doval and Sartaj Aziz -- will hold talks on terrorism-related issues for the first time on August 23.

During the talks, India is expected to present strong evidence of terrorism emanating from Pakistan highlighted further by recent attacks in Gurdaspur in Punjab and near Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir.

-PTI