Pakistan summons Indian envoy after labourer killed in cross-LoC firing

Published February 23, 2018
Villagers gather to mourn the death of Pakistani laborer Inzamam Hussain in Tetrinote Hajeera, situated at the Line of Control on Thursday.— AP
Villagers gather to mourn the death of Pakistani laborer Inzamam Hussain in Tetrinote Hajeera, situated at the Line of Control on Thursday.— AP

A Pakistani labourer was killed when Indian troops resorted to 'unprovoked' firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, the Foreign Office (FO) said.

FO Director General (South Asia and Saarc) Dr Muhammad Faisal summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner J.P. Singh to lodge a protest over the ceasefire violation in AJK's Rawalakot district.

The killed worker was identified as Inzamam Hussain, who was working at a civilian crush plant at Poonch River bank.

According to the FO statement, Indian forces have committed more than 391 ceasefire violations since the start of 2018, killing 16 civilians and injuring 65 others through the use of heavy mortars and automatic weapons.

"The deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international human rights and humanitarian laws," the statement said.

There was no immediate comment from New Delhi.

The incident comes three days after the Pakistan Army destroyed an Indian army post across the LoC and killed two soldiers hours after a Pakistani minor boy lost his life in Indian firing on a border village.

Ceasefire violations are a frequent feature along the LoC and Working Boundary despite the leadership of Pakistan Rangers and India's Border Security Forces agreeing in November 2017 that the "spirit" of the 2003 Ceasefire Agreement must be revived to protect innocent lives.

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