Pakistan summons Indian envoy over killing of two civilians

Pakistan summoned a senior Indian diplomat and a protest was lodged over cross-border shelling that killed two civilians on Wednesday, officials said.

The Foreign Ministry said that four civilians were also injured as a result of the latest Indian fire along the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region.

The Foreign Ministry said the Indian deputy high commissioner was called in and protest was lodged against the "unprovoked ceasefire violations by Indian Security Forces in Harpal Sector due to which a Pakistani civilian Muhammad Shareef embraced Shahadat (martyrdom)."

A statement said Indian Security Forces also resorted to unprovoked firing at Jandrot, Nikhial and Karela Sectors, as a result of which one more civilian embraced "shahadat" and four civilians were injured.

"The Deputy High Commissioner was conveyed Pakistan's concern over the continuous unprovoked ceasefire violations by Indian security forces along the LoC and the Working Boundary."

Pakistan urged India to immediately stop the violations and observe the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, the statement said.

It is the second time in three days Pakistan has summoned the Indian envoy over the cross-border shelling as the escalations have caused diplomatic tensions.

On Aug. 17, the Indian deputy high commissioner was called and a protest was lodged against unprovoked ceasefire violations on Aug. 15 to 16, by Indian troops at the Line of Control, which resulted in the killing of three civilians.

The statement said Pakistan notes with regret and deep concern that during the last two months, so far, there have been 71 ceasefire violations from the Indian side of the LoC and the Working Boundary.

Pakistan and India had declared ceasefire in 2003 and guns had been relatively silent along the LoC, however, both sides occasionally exchange fire. An escalation had been seen in recent weeks.

On its part, India also claims that Pakistan violated the ceasefire agreement that cause casualties on the Indian side. India also summoned Pakistani high commissioner in New Delhi, Abdul Basit, and a protest was lodged over the incidents this week.

Top security advisers of the two countries are scheduled to meet in New Delhi on Aug. 23-24 to discuss anti-terror measures and how to reduce tensions along the LoC.

Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi, had met at Ufa, Russia, last month and agreed on the meeting of the national security advisers. Endi