Two officials of the United Nations Military Observers group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) narrowly escaped a firing incident as Indian troops reportedly targeted their vehicle while they were visiting areas along the Pakistani side of the Line of Control (LoC), DawnNews reported Wednesday.

A statement issued by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Army's media wing, claimed that "Indian troops committed unprovoked ceasefire violation." The Indian troops deployed on LoC, "targeted UNMOGIP vehicle along LOC in Khanjar sector," it added.

According to details shared by the military's media wing, the vehicle was carrying UNMOGIP Officers Major Emmanual of the Philippines and Major Mirko of Croatia when it came under fire.

ISPR further said that the officials were targeted despite the blue UN flag hoisted on the vehicle as per procedure.

Both officers remained safe and were rushed back to a safe location.

Last week, Pakistan Army had lodged a protest before military observers from United Nations against 'unprovoked' Indian aggression and firing on civilians from across the LoC.

United Nations Military Observers at UNMOGIP were invited to GHQ to register a protest over "unprovoked ceasefire violations and targeting of civilian population by Indian Army".

The observers were informed that the Indian army violated ceasefire agreement on May 10, 13 and 16, said an earlier statement issued by ISPR.

"Indian Army used small arms, automatic and heavy calibre weapons, heavy mortars (122 mm) and field artillery in Sabzkot, Baroh, Tandar, Khuiratta, Kot Koterra and Karela Sectors to target Pakistani villages."

The observers were also told that a civilian was killed and 15 others, including women and children, injured when Indian troops resorted to firing.

Tense relations

Incidents of cross-border firing have become a norm since the last months of 2016 as tensions simmer between Pakistan and India over the Kashmir issue. Exchanges of fire have been reported sporadically since the new year began.

Following the [Uri army base attack][3] in September, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi [stepped up a drive][4] to 'isolate' Pakistan diplomatically.

In the days following the attack, India claimed to have conducted a cross-border 'surgical strike' against 'launch pads of terror' in Azad Jammu and Kashmir — a claim Pakistan strongly rejected.

Pakistan maintains that India has been [attempting to divert the world's attention][6] away from atrocities committed by government forces in India-held Kashmir.

Opinion

Editorial

Errant ECP
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Errant ECP

THE ECP has once again earned a detailed reprimand from the Supreme Court. That it still refuses to correct course is ominous
Fast-tracking M6
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Fast-tracking M6

GRAND infrastructure projects in Pakistan often progress at the pace of a bullock cart rather than a bullet train....
Gwadar airport
Updated 22 Jan, 2025

Gwadar airport

THE air connectivity established by the inauguration of PIA flights between Karachi and Gwadar is a major step...
Trump 2.0
Updated 21 Jan, 2025

Trump 2.0

Few have forgotten how disruptive Trump could be as president. There has been little indication that his 2nd term will be any different.
GB’s status
21 Jan, 2025

GB’s status

THE demand raised by the people of Gilgit-Baltistan for constitutional clarity and provisional provincial status is...
Panda bond
Updated 21 Jan, 2025

Panda bond

ISLAMABAD’S plans to raise $200m from China’s capital markets through the inaugural issue of a Panda bond this...