By Our Diplomatic Correspondent
Islamabad: Indian Army has deliberately targeted a United Nations (UN) vehicle carrying military observers at Line of Control (LoC), according to Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Friday. According to the details shared on the Twitter account of the ISPR, Indian Army resorted to unprovoked fire in Chirikot Sector of the LOC and deliberately targeted a United Nations (UN) vehicle with two Military Observers on board.
The military observers, army’s media wing said were enroute to interact with victims of the ceasefire violations (CFVs) in Polas Village in Chirikot Sector. It must be noted that the UN vehicles are clearly recognisable even from long distances due to their distinct make and type and clearly visible markings.
“While the vehicle was damaged, the two UNMOs luckily remained unharmed. They were safely rescued and evacuated by Pakistan Army to Rawalakot,” the ISPR said. It further said that such illegal and unlawful acts against all established international norms, signify mal-intent of Indian Army to target not only innocent civilians residing along the Line of Control but the UN Peacekeepers as well.
“This act only goes to show Indian Army’s complete disregard to principles enshrined in UN Charter. It is indeed a new low for Indian Army.” The media wing said that Pakistan Army stands in solidarity with the United Nations Military Observer Group in India And Pakistan (UNMOGIP) officials and appreciates the selfless services rendered by all members of UNMOGIP in discharge of their UN mandated duties.
Moreover, Indian troops on Friday “specifically targeted” a United Nations vehicle carrying two officers of the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) from across the Line of Control, in what the Foreign Office termed a “new low” in their conduct. The incident occurred at around 10:45am when Indian border forces resorted to “unprovoked firing” in Chirikot sector in Azad Jammu and Kashmir along the LoC, FO spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri told a weekly press briefing.
The officers were on their way to Polas village to meet with the victims of Indian ceasefire violations when they came under fire. The UN vehicle was damaged but the officers remained unhurt, the FO spokesperson said. The officers were immediately evacuated by the Pakistan Army and brought back to the UNMOGIP field station in Rawalakot. “The reprehensible act of unprovoked firing by India on the UNMOGIP officers is indicative of a new low in the conduct of Indian occupation troops,” Chaudhri said. He noted that India had committed 2,992 ceasefire violations so far this year alone, resulting in 27 deaths and serious injuries to 249 civilians, including 92 women and 68 children.
He called upon India to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, investigate the incidents of deliberate ceasefire violations, and maintain peace along the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB). “Pakistan also urges India to allow the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan to play its mandated role as per the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions,” he said.
Moreover, Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhry on Friday said that Pakistan strongly condemns ceasefire violations by Indian troops and Pakistan army is ready to give a befitting response to any aggression. Addressing weekly news briefing in Islamabad on Friday, he said that real Indian face has been exposed to the world, adding that New Delhi must assess the gravity of the situation on any misadventure. Pakistan calls on the international community to stop any Indian campaign against Pakistan.
Chaudhry said that Indian Army opened unprovoked fire on the Cherikot sector along the LoC and targeted the United Nations observers’ vehicle, however, fortunately, the people riding the vehicle were safe. “Pakistan reiterates its demand for India to abide by the 2003 ceasefire agreement,” he said.
