Pakistan summons Indian envoy over soldier’s killing

Pakistan on Wednesday summoned a senior Indian diplomat and a protest was lodged over the killing of an army captain in firing by Indian troops. 

Military officials said the army captain was killed and another soldier was injured in Indian firing along the Line of Control (LoC), which divides the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region.  

It is the latest incident in the on-going escalations along the LoC, which has heightened diplomatic tensions between the South Asian nuclear rivals.

Pakistan and India had declared a ceasefire in 2003 however troops of both countries now routinely fire at each other that has caused tensions.  They accuse each other of violating the ceasefire. 

“The Indian Deputy High Commissioner in Islamabad was called in to the Foreign Office today and a strong protest was lodged over the unprovoked firing by Indian army soldiers last night in the Shaqma sector, Kargil, which resulted in the martyrdom of a Pakistan Army captain and injury to another soldier,” the Foreign Ministry said. 

A statement said Pakistan conveyed its serious concern on the continued violations of the ceasefire across the LoC by the Indian Army over the past few weeks and the escalation of tensions which is counterproductive and detrimental for stability and peace in the region.

“While Pakistan is committed to a constructive, sustained and result-oriented process of engagement it calls upon India to take serious and credible measures to prevent further ceasefire violations and reduce tensions,” the statement said.

The army said earlier that Captain Sarfraz died due to Indian troops unprovoked shelling Tuesday night while another soldier Yasin has also been seriously wounded.

“Pakistani troops responded effectively to Indian unprovoked firing,” a military official said.

Pakistani military official said that exchange of fire continued till early Wednesday.

It is the second incident of Indian firing in less than a week, the military says.

Five Pakistani nationals including a woman were injured in the “unprovoked” mortar shelling from the Indian side at Nakyal Sector of Kotli along the Line of Control the disputed Kashmir region on Thursday.

Tension has heightened at a time when prime ministers of the two countries are scheduled to meet next month in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on Aug 21 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.