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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner on Friday to lodge a strong protest against the latest ‘unprovoked ceasefire violations’ by Indian Border Security Forces (BSF) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s Nakyal sector in Kotli district.
Three Pakistani civilians were killed and three others wounded on Thursday in what officials said fierce shelling by Indian troops from across the Line of Control, Dawn newspaper reported.
The Indian Deputy High Commissioner, JP Singh was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by Director General (SA and Saarc ) Dr Mohammad Faisal today to protest against the killing of three civilians, in Nikyal sector, due to 'unprovoked ceasefire violations' by the Indian Security Forces at LoC, said a statement issued by the ministry.
Laiba Shabbir, 12, was killed in Oli village and Sufi Amin, 55, and Zahid, 19, died in Mohra Dharoti village when mortar shells fired by BSF hit their houses.
"The Government of Pakistan has expressed its deep concern at the continuous unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian Security Forces and the intentional targeting of innocent civilians, which is highly condemnable," said the ministry statement.
Pakistan has stressed upon India to stop forthwith these ceasefire violations and respect the 2003 Ceasefire arrangement in order to restore peace at the LoC and the Working Boundary, the statement added.
The press release said that the Pakistani government extends condolences to the bereaved families and prays for the departed souls and for the quick recovery of the injured.
The latest bout of border skirmish follows a bi-annual meeting between commanders of Pakistan's Rangers and India's Border Security Force, in which the two sides had agreed to stop border violations along the LoC, check smuggling and ensure expeditious repatriation of those who inadvertently cross borders.
Also read: India violates LoC ceasefire despite recent promises of peace: ISPR
Tens of thousands of soldiers are massed on either side of Kashmir, one of the world's most militarised regions, and in recent months they have stepped up cross-border firing.
