Pakistan summons Indian High Commissioner over civilian deaths in shelling

Pakistan on Friday summoned Indian High Commissioner to lodge a strong protest over a latest cross-border shelling that killed at least six civilians and injured over 40 others, officials said.

This was the largest civilian casualties in Pakistan on a single day in exchange of firing in recent weeks.

The military earlier said at least six civilians were killed and 46, including 22 women were injured in the shelling.

"The Indian High Commissioner, Dr. T.C.A. Raghavan, was summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs by the Foreign Secretary, Mr. Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry as the Government of Pakistan strongly protested over the latest ceasefire violations by India in Harpal and Chaprar sectors at the Working Boundary resulting in shahadat (martyrdom) of 6 civilians, including a woman and a child, " the Foreign Ministry said.

A total of 46 civilians were injured (including 22 women) out of which 10 are in critical condition, a Foreign Ministry statement said. The injured are undergoing treatment at a military hospital in Sialkot, a main city near the border with India.

"While condemning the Indian practice of targeting civilians on purpose, the Government of Pakistan expressed its deep concern at the continued hostility at the LoC and the Working Boundary," the statement said.

The Indian government was urged to stop forthwith the ceasefire violations and observe the 2003 Ceasefire Arrangement for restoration of peace and tranquillity at the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, it said.

Giving details of the Indian shelling, the Foreign Ministry said firing by the Indian side started at around 23:30 p.m. Thursday, when Pakistani troops confronted India for using an excavator, near the Working Boundary without following relevant codes.

Officials said mainly three villages - Kundunpur, Bajra Garhi and Thathi along the Working Boundary were targeted and many houses have also been damaged. Endi