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Civilians bear the brunt as Pakistan fire targets NSA-level talks; Pak envoy says India behind ceasefire violation

During the talks scheduled on August 23, NSA Ajit Doval is expected to raise Indian concerns on Pak-sponsored terrorism with counterpart Sartaz Aziz by giving ample proof of evidence of terror, including the recent ones in Gurdaspur in Punjab and near Udhampur in Jammu.

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Relatives during the funeral of Sarpanch Karamat Hussain who was killed in Pakistani shelling at Balakot sector at Poonch in Jammu on Sunday.
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Barely a week before NSA-level talks, relations between India and Pakistan turned sour again with the latter resorting to unprovoked firing along the LoC, even after its High Commissioner was summoned by the New Delhi. Five civilians, including a Sarpanch, had lost their lives on the Independence Day. Sunday's firing claimed another civilian, even while injuring five others.

However, after meeting external affairs ministry secretary Anil Wadhwa, Basit went on the offensive, accusing India of 70 ceasefire violations along the LoC and International Boundary in the months of July and August. "…Our side would like to have a more effective mechanism in place so as to determine who indulges in these unprovoked firing," said Basit.

Debunking Basit claims, MEA spokesperson Vikas Swarup said, "We lodged a strong protest and conveyed our anger at the unprovoked firing by Pakistan troops since August 8, particularly, with regard to incidents of yesterday and today in Poonch that saw systematic targeting of our civilian population. On several occasions issue of ceasefire violations has been raised at DGMO level. Assurances have been received that firing will stop. But, the firing continued until today."

The escalation in hostilities leading up to NSA level talks, sources said, means Pakistan Army does not want the talks to happen or wants to convey belligerence even during the talks. Incidents in the recent past including the terror incidents in Jammu and Punjab and Pakistan's refusal to invite J&K speaker to a conference of Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, give an impression that Pak Army is trying to undermine the spirit of Ufa talks between the two premiers, sources said.

"It seems that Pakistan, especially the ISI and the Army, is trying to force India to scuttle it," sources said.

During the talks scheduled on August 23, NSA Ajit Doval is expected to raise Indian concerns on Pak-sponsored terrorism with counterpart Sartaz Aziz by giving ample proof of evidence of terror, including the recent ones in Gurdaspur in Punjab and near Udhampur in Jammu.

India has strong case in the capture of Mohammed Naved Yakub, a Pakistani national and an LeT operative, who hails from Faisalabad.

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