India summons Pakistan envoy over death of 3 children in ceasefire violation

NewsBharati    04-Oct-2017
Total Views |

New Delhi, October 4: India today summoned Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner, Syed Haider Shah and lodged a strong protest over the death of three Indian children in an unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan forces in the Poonch sector.

The External Affairs Ministry conveyed that such deliberate targeting of civilians is against humanitarian norms and practices and is not acceptable. Strong concern was also expressed at continued unprovoked firing by Pakistan forces across the Line of Control and the International Border in violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding.

On Monday, three minors were killed in indiscriminate shelling by the Pakistani army in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. 8 other were injured after the Pakistan army started shelling along with small and automatic weapons fire. Indian troops are retaliating to the firing.

Pakistan forces have carried out 503 such violations so far in 2017, while in 2016, it 228 for the entire year, according to the Army figures.

The Border Security Force and the Pakistani Rangers held their first flag meeting in six months in September. The Indian officers reportedly told their Pakistani counterparts that any provocative action would be met by equal or stronger responses. This was the first commander-level meeting between the two forces after clashes escalated almost two months back.