Pakistani civilian injured as Indo-Pak border forces exchange fire

Published October 19, 2014
A Pakistani villager points to a hole in his roof caused by a mortar shell allegedly fired across the border at the Dhamala border village near the eastern city of Sialkot in Punjab province on October 8, 2014. - AFP
A Pakistani villager points to a hole in his roof caused by a mortar shell allegedly fired across the border at the Dhamala border village near the eastern city of Sialkot in Punjab province on October 8, 2014. - AFP

Indian and Pakistani troops traded cross-border fire Sunday injuring at least one Pakistani civilian in Janglora village of Sialkot's Bajwat sector, officials said, the latest in a series of clashes that began earlier this month and have claimed at least 20 civilian lives.

The wounded person was shifted to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Sialkot where all victims of the recent Indo-Pak clashes have been provided with free medical treatment and facilities.

The exchange of fire began when Indian troops resorted to “unprovoked” fire across the border that separates India-held Kashmir and Pakistan's Punjab province, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement.

Each country holds part of the Himalayan territory but claims it in full. The two nations have fought two full-scale wars over Kashmir, though tensions have eased since the signing of a 2003 ceasefire.

It is still unclear what precipitated the recent upsurge in unrest, which began on October 6 during the Islamic festival of Eidul-Adha and has forced thousands of residents on both sides to flee their homes.

Pakistan's most senior foreign affairs official Sartaj Aziz meanwhile had a phone conversation with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, officials said. He told Ban that Islamabad “was fully united and determined to thwart any aggression”, according to a statement released by his office.

Aziz also called on the UN to implement its 1947 resolution calling for a referendum in Kashmir to determine its fate and restore peace to the region -- a resolution India has long rejected.

Opinion

Merging for what?

Merging for what?

The concern is that if the government is thinking of cutting costs through the merger, we might even lose the functionality levels we currently have.

Editorial

Dubai properties
Updated 16 May, 2024

Dubai properties

It is hoped that any investigation that is conducted will be fair and that no wrongdoing will be excused.
In good faith
16 May, 2024

In good faith

THE ‘P’ in PTI might as well stand for perplexing. After a constant yo-yoing around holding talks, the PTI has...
CTDs’ shortcomings
16 May, 2024

CTDs’ shortcomings

WHILE threats from terrorist groups need to be countered on the battlefield through military means, long-term ...
Reserved seats
Updated 15 May, 2024

Reserved seats

The ECP's decisions and actions clearly need to be reviewed in light of the country’s laws.
Secretive state
15 May, 2024

Secretive state

THERE is a fresh push by the state to stamp out all criticism by using the alibi of protecting national interests....
Plague of rape
15 May, 2024

Plague of rape

FLAWED narratives about women — from being weak and vulnerable to provocative and culpable — have led to...