Pakistan seeks third party inquiry into cross-border attacks

Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, Thursday said Pakistan wants a third party to conduct inquiry into the ceasefire violations on the Line of Control, which divides Pakistan and India in the disputed Kashmir region, after both countries accused each other of attacks.

Pakistan blamed Indian troops for entering in Azad Kashmir and killing its one soldier and injuring another on Sunday.

On Tuesday India also claimed that Pakistani forces entered its occupied part of Kashmir and killed two Indian soldiers. Pakistan denied the charges.

The clashes escalated tensions along the LoC and posed threat to the 2003 bilateral ceasefire.

Foreign Minister Khar told a news conference in Islamabad that Pakistan has also contacted UN military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) and proposed investigation into the border violations.

“Pakistan abides by the ceasefire and follows the mechanism to deal with such kinds of issues,” she said while speaking at a joint press conference along with the visiting Foreign Minister of Thailand Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

Reports from India suggest that New Delhi has rejected Pakistan’s offer that the UN investigate the alleged LoC clashes.

Indian officials allege that Pakistani forces entered some 100 meters into its held-territory and killed two soldiers, adding that one soldier was beheaded.

Reacting strongly on the contradictory statements emanating from India‚ Foreign Minister Khar said Pakistan made responsible statements and followed the mechanism to defuse the situation.

“Pakistan will not like to escalate situation with India and hoped the recent incident at the LoC will not cause setback to the peace process,” she said.

She said Pakistan has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improve relations with India. In this regard‚ we have also taken several trust building measures.

She said the people of Pakistan are peace loving and extend a hand of friendship to all the regional countries including India. She said we have taken a lead role to build trust level with India.

To a question about the granting of the Most Favored Nation status to India‚ Hina Rabbani Khar said Islamabad remains committed to improve trade relations with New Delhi.

“Pakistan wants removal of all visible and invisible trade barriers with India,” the Foreign Minister said.

Pakistan-India tension has prompted international calls for calm and talks to decrease the escalations.

Both countries have fought three wars, two over Kashmir dispute, since their independence from the British colonial rule in 1947.

The United Nations and the U.S. , have appealed to Pakistan and India to respect the ceasefire in the Kashmir region.

In New Delhi, Pakistani High Commissioner was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday and a formal protest was lodged over the alleged Pakistani incursion.

Senior Pakistani and Indian military officials also on Wednesday talked on phone and discussed the current escalations, the Pakistani military said.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Jan 10 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.