Updated: November 14, 2020 7:16:04 pm
A damaged residential house in the town of Uri de Baramulla. (Express photo)
Condemning in the strongest terms the “unprovoked violation of the ceasefire” by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC), which left five security personnel and six civilians killedIndia said on Saturday it was “very regrettable” that Islamabad chose a festive occasion to disturb the peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MEA), in a statement, said that the “Pakistani Chargé d’affaires High Commission was summoned by MEA and a strong protest was filed” over the incident.
See: Heavy bombardment by Pakistani troops in Tangdhar village of Kupwara pic.twitter.com/PWXcV3pXMu
– The Indian Express (@IndianExpress) November 13, 2020
“India condemns, in the strongest terms, the deliberate attacks against innocent civilians by Pakistani forces. It is very regrettable that Pakistan has chosen a festive occasion in India to disrupt the peace and perpetrate violence in Jammu and Kashmir through coordinated shooting throughout the LoC, ”stated the MEA.
New Delhi also vigorously protested Pakistan’s continued support for cross-border infiltration in India. The MEA said Pakistan was reminded of its bilateral commitment not to allow any territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India.
On Friday, the day before Diwali, 11 people, including four soldiers and a BSF jawan, were killed in “unprovoked violation of the ceasefire” by Pakistan, authorities said. Sources told The Indian Express that at least “six to eight” Pakistani soldiers died in retaliation.
The Army had said in a statement that “Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violations throughout the LoC spread across multiple sectors to include Dawar, Keran, Uri and Naugam,” and used “mortars and other weapons.” “Pakistan deliberately targeted civilian areas,” he said.
Sources told The Indian Express that Pakistani soldiers killed in Indian shooting include two commandos from the Special Service Group. “Nearly a dozen Pakistani soldiers were also injured,” the sources said.
Smoke from the projectile explosion in the forest area of the city of Gurez, in the Bandipora district of northern Kashmir. (Express photo)
This year, there has been a significant escalation in violations of the ceasefire by Pakistan. According to official data, there have been 4,052 incidents of this type so far this year, 25% more than the 3,233 violations in 2019.
These incidents have been on the rise in the last two months, with 394 rapes in October and 128 so far this month. Before Friday, at least 20 civilians and five soldiers were killed in such incidents this year.
© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd
.
