Miffed at 'ceasefire violations', Pakistan summons India's Deputy HC again

Amid escalating tensions, Pakistan summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner - for the fifth time in just over two weeks - and lodged a strong protest over alleged "unprovoked" firing by Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border.

"Director General (South Asia & SAARC) Dr Mohammad Faisal, summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner, JP Singh, today and strongly condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations" by the Indian Forces on 7 November on the LoC in Nikial and Jandrot sectors, Pakistan Foreign Office said.

The firing resulted in the death of 3 civilians, including a woman and injuries to four others, including a 5-year-old boy, the Foreign Office said in a statement.

"The Director General urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding; investigate the continued incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit, stop targeting the villages and civilians and maintain peace on the LoC," the statement said.

Deputy High Commissioner Singh has also been summoned to the Foreign Office over ceasefire violations on 25, 26 and 28 October and 1 November.

On 27 October, Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale to the foreign ministry and conveyed the decision of the Government of Pakistan to declare an Indian High Commission official "persona non-grata".

--PTI