RAWALPINDI: The United Nations Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (Unmogip) was apprised on Wednesday of ceasefire violations recently committed by India along the Line of Control (LoC) targeting civilian population.

Read more: Ceasefire violations by India threaten stability, warns army

“The Unmogip were invited to [the] General Headquarters (GHQ) to register a protest over unprovoked CFV’s [ceasefire violations] and targeting civilian population by Indian Army on 10th, 13th and 16th May 2017,” said Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media affairs wing.

“The Indian army used small arms, automatic and heavy calibre weapons, heavy mortar (122mm mortars) and field artillery in Sabzkot, Baroh, Tandar, Khuiratta, Kot Koterra and Karela sectors to target Pakistani villages resulting in the martyrdom of one civilian and injuring of 15 others including women and children,” the ISPR release said.

The UN officials were also apprised of the latest situation along the LoC.

In New York, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres underscored the need for both countries to find a peaceful solution to their problems through engagement and dialogue.

Guterres wants Islamabad, Delhi to hold talks for settlement of issues

“He (the UN chief) is watching the situation very closely and reiterates the need for the parties to find a peaceful solution through engagement and dialogue,” the secretary general’s spokesman, Stephane Dujarric, told reporters at the UN headquarters on Tuesday.

Asked why the UN chief was reluctant to talk about the festering Kashmir dispute that had drawn India and Pakistan close to another conflict, the spokesman said: “I don’t think it is a matter of reluctance.”

He said the secretary general was aware of the developments and was keeping a watch on the situation.

“The secretary general is a student of history; he knows what has happened,” the spokesman added.

Published in Dawn, May 18th, 2017