ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) – Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with India over what the Foreign Office said is an “offensive posture” of Indian security forces adopted during the last few days and a provocative act against the spirit of the Ufa understanding.
In a statement, the Foreign Office spokesman said the Indian troops violated the ceasefire, by opening fire on a front of 11 kilometres at Nezapir, in Poonch sector.
Read more: India violates ceasefire accord on Eid day
“We hope that the Indian government observes the understanding reached between the two sides during 2003 to maintain peace and tranquility at the LoC and Working Boundary in letter and spirit,” FO spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said in a statement.
“The government of Pakistan has expressed its deep concern at the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian Security forces at the LoC and the offensive posture adopted during the past few days,” he remarked.
He added it is deeply regretted that once again the ceasefire violations by the Indian troops are being committed during the Eid holidays, as was done by them last year, when many innocent civilians were martyred.
Read more: Four Pakistanis killed in Indian BSF firing
The spokesman said that this time four civilians lost their lives on 15 and 16 July when people were busy preparing for the most happy and sacred occasion of Eid ul Fitr.
He said Pakistan lodged protest at the provocative act, which is against the spirit of the understanding reached at the Ufa meeting.
Read more: Pak Army takes Indian violations to UN observers
“On Saturday at 1335 hrs, Indian troops violated the ceasefire, by opening fire on a front of 11 kilometres at Rawalakot [Nezapir] – Poonch sector at LoC, which continued intermittently until 1745hrs,” said Khalilullah.
He added: “They [Indians] used small arms, rockets, mortars and heavy machine gun fire.”
Read more: Pakistan summons Indian High Commissioner over unprovoked firing
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had held a hour-long meeting on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Ufa, Russia.
The two leaders had agreed that both India and Pakistan have a collective responsibility to ensure peace and promote development.
Read more: Modi accepts invite for first Pakistan visit
The meeting was seen by analysts as thawing of relations, after peace talks between the two estranged neighbours remained suspended since January 2013, when tensions at the LoC started flaring up.
Last year saw some of the worst clashes along the de facto border. The clashes have sporadically continued to occur this year.
