KL NEWS NETWORK
SRINAGAR
The 2002-agreed ceasefire between the Indian and Pakistani armies seems to be at all-time low since the rival neighbouring countries have been alleging the escalation in violation of the agreement since September.
Many lives have been lost on both sides of border – both civilian and those of border forces – however, it has only added to the “clouds of war” rumours.
Reports from across the Line of Control (LoC) suggest that on Friday, the Indian troops allegedly targeted a marriage party in Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK), killing at least three people, including a woman and a child, and injuring five others.
The Express Tribune quoting police reported that Indian forces opened fire on civilian population in Nakyal Sector’s Chafrigahi village along the LoC, some 185 kilometres from Muzaffarabad.
Three villagers attending the marriage ceremony were hit by a mortar shell coming from the across the LoC. The mortar killed 24-year-old Saima Zubair, five-year-old Ammna Shaukat and 50-year-old Latif on the spot.
Five other people — Aleeza Fatima, Shaheen Akhter, Muhammad Sadiq, Naila Ilyas and Dawood Ahmad — were also injured in the shelling. The news report said that police officials in Kotli confirmed about alleged Indian army’s shelling on the wedding party and other villages.
The report added that ceasefire violations took place in Chaprar Sector, in Sialkot and where the residential buildings and cattle were targeted.
“Forces used light and heavy mortars on the civilian population of Chaprar, causing huge damage to houses and properties. The villagers have already left the area and moved to safer locations,” it said.
In a briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said, “India should respect the ceasefire and refrain from targeting civilians and their properties.”
“India is resorting to such acts to deflect the world attention from its on-going atrocities in Indian administrated Kashmir (IAK),” he added.
Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh was also summoned in the Pakistan Foreign Office to strongly condemn his country’s unprovoked ceasefire violations on October 27 along the working boundary and the LoC.
The Indian shelling in Shakargarh sector on the working boundary and in Nakyal sector on the LoC resulted in the death of six civilians, including two women and injured 22 others.
“[India was] urged to respect the 2003 ceasefire understanding, investigate the continued incidents of ceasefire violations, instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit, stop targeting the villages and civilians,” said a statement.
Acting President of PaK Shah Ghulam Qadir also condemned the attack on the marriage party in Nakyal sector, and termed such acts a blatant threat to South Asian peace and security.
“The recent cycle of violence and ceasefire violation on the LoC and working boundary is an attempt to divert the global attention from the present situation of the IOK,” he said.
Qadir directed the Kotli district administration to pay and deliver compensation to the heirs of the bereaved families.
