The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Monday summoned Pakistan’s Deputy High Commissioner, Syed Haider Shah, to register India’s strong protest over the killing of civilians on the Indian side.
Five Indian civilians (a family comprising of husband, wife and three children) were killed while there were grievous injuries to two other minor children in unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan forces on 18 March in Bhimber Gali Sector across the loC in J&K.
India conveyed that the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians by Pakistan forces using high caliber weapons, is highly deplorable and is condemned in strongest terms.
“Such heinous acts are against established humanitarian norms and professional military conduct. Pakistan authorities are called upon to investigate into such heinous acts and instruct its forces to desist from such acts immediately. Our strong concerns were shared at continued unprovoked firing and ceasefire violations across the loC and the International Border. More than 560 such violations have been carried out by the Pakistan forces so far in 2018 in which 23 Indian civilians have been killed and 70 others injured. The Pakistan side was also asked to end support being given to cross border infiltration of terrorists, including through covering fire,” the MEA said in a demarche.