ISLAMABAD: The Foreign Office on Thursday summoned the Indian deputy high commissionear to lodge a protest over the latest unprovoked ceasefire violations by Indian troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Karela sector.

The director general (South Asia and Saarc), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, conveyed to the senior Indian diplomat Pakistan’s anguish over the violations along the LoC on Oct 19-20, resulting in the death of 28-year-old Abdul Rehman. Twelve civilians, including children and women, were injured as a result of Indian firing.

The diplomat was told that the Indian side must investigate the incident and share findings with Pakistan and that India must instruct its troops to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit, refrain from intentionally targeting villages and maintain peace and stability along the LoC.

Meanwhile, the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs was informed on Thursday that Pakistan was following the policy of friendly neighbourhood with all the countries in the region. In the same spirit, Pakistan wanted resolutions of all outstanding issues with India, including the Jammu and Kashmir dispute.

In a working paper on India-Pakistan relations sent to the committee, the Foreign Office regretted that despite Pakistan’s positive overtures, the Indian government had not reciprocated and continued to ignore the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, with complete disrespect for the UN Security Council resolutions and its commitments under the international law.

The Senate panel was informed that Indian support for subversive and terrorist activities in Pakistan was a matter of grave concern. “Our claim has been vindicated by the confession of the apprehended serving officer of RAW, Kulbhushan Jadhav, and the recent statements by the Indian prime minister. We have shared our concerns with the international community and would continue to unveil the Indian malicious motives,” it said.

The Foreign Office said the Indian government was using different tactics to divert world attention from the grim situation in India-held Kashmir. The committee was informed that the claims of carrying out a surgical strike inside Pakistan and accusation of Pakistan’s involvement in Uri attack hours after it took place was part of this campaign.

In fact, the Indian forces have resorted to unprovoked firing at the LoC, which is in continuation of a pattern of ceasefire violations committed by the Indian occupation forces across the LoC, which met a befitting response from Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, October 21st, 2016