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Pakistan says India intends to further escalate tensions

Xinhua, November 10, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said here Thursday that India intends to "further escalate tensions and undermine regional peace and security," citing the Indian forces used artillery on Wednesday in its cross Line of Control (LoC) shelling.

According to a statement by the ministry, the foreign secretary "deplored the use of artillery" by the Indian forces in Shahkot and Jura sectors on the LoC on Nov. 9 and highlighted that such weaponry had been used after 13 years, reflecting "India's intention to further escalate tensions and undermine regional peace and security."

Meanwhile, the foreign secretary called on the United Nations Military Observers Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to maintain peace and tranquility at the LoC and the working boundary since it has the UN mandated responsibility, according to the statement.

"While Pakistan is fully cooperating and providing full access to UNMOGIP, we urge India to permit the UNMOGIP to visit and observe the LoC and the working boundary," the Pakistan top diplomat said.

He also urged India to investigate the continued incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations on the LoC and the working boundary and ensure respect for the 2003 ceasefire understanding, in letter and spirit.

The statement again highlighted that "the indiscriminate firing and shelling" from the Indian side "deliberately" targeted villages and civilian populated areas in the last two months and has resulted in death of 26 civilians and injuries to 107, including women and children.

Pakistan on Thursday summoned Indian High Commissioner on the issue and condemned the continued unprovoked firing and ceasefire violations by the Indian forces on the LoC and the working boundary.

Escalation along the LoC in the disputed Kashmir region has been seen since the militants attacked an army base in the Indian-controlled Kashmir in September, killing 19 soldiers. Endit