ISLAMABAD: Indian Deputy High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia was on Friday summoned to the Foreign Office over the recent ceasefire violations in which a child lost his life.

“The director general (South Asia & Saarc), Dr Mohammad Faisal, summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Gaurav Ahluwalia again today and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces along the Line of Control,” the FO said in a statement.

The Indian diplomat was summoned for receiving protest over ceasefire violations in Sharda, Nezapir, Satwal and Bagsar sectors on Oct 10. Faizan, 10, died due to Indian firing in Sharda sector. Sixteen others, including six children and two women, suffered serious injuries. Another six people were wounded in Nezapir, Satwal, and Bagsar sectors.

“The Indian occupation forces along the LoC and Working Boundary have continuously been targeting civilian populated areas with artillery fire, heavy-caliber mortars, and automatic weapons, which still continues,” the FO said.

“The deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international human rights and humanitarian laws. The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation,” Mr Faisal told the Indian diplomat.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2019