November 5, 2003	Wednesday	Ramazan 9, 1424

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PANDU SUB-SECTOR (AJK), Nov 4: The heads of different missions in Islamabad were informed on Tuesday that the fencing of the Line of Control (LoC) by India was a clear violation of the UN Charter and breach of ceasefire agreement between the two countries.

The heads of missions of around 27 countries who visited the LoC to get firsthand knowledge about the geographical demarcation of the line between both the nuclear rivals, were given a comprehensive briefing by General Officer Commanding Major General Wasim Ahmed Ashraf and Brigade Commander Brigadier Iftikhar.

“Erection of fence on the LoC is clear violation of the UN Charter and breach of ceasefire agreement between both the countries,” they said in their detailed briefing to the visiting guests.

“Neither of the sides can bring any change, whatsoever it could be, in the LoC,” they said.

The heads of missions and diplomats visited the LoC were from, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Canada, Egypt, France, European Union, Hungary, Indonesia, Jordan, Korea, Libya, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Norway, the Philippines, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Sweden, South Africa, Thailand, Tunisia, Cyprus and the US.

To a question, they were informed that the chances of infiltration from “this side of the LoC are minimal in the presence of such a high number of troops besides employment of modern and sensitive monitoring equipment along the control line.”

The situation along the LoC remained unchanged, due to the maintenance of high alert by Indian troops, they were informed in response to another question.

They were informed that during the last one year, the Indian troops violated the ceasefire for 132 times while the UN Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan confirmed 107 incidents.

“We respond them calibre-to-calibre but always target their military installations with utmost caution that no civilian population is targeted,” the visitors were told.

It was emphasised that the world “may take note of the situation and play their role in help seeking long-lasting solution of the problem through holding meaningful and result-oriented dialogue.”—APP