Pak summons Deputy Indian High Commissioner over LoC firing

 Pakistan on Monday summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner JP Singh and lodged a protest over alleged ceasefire violations by India at the LoC that resulted in the death of four civilians, and also over New Delhi's refusal of diplomatic flight clearance to Pakistani aircraft.

Singh conveyed "strong condemnation of the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Indian occupation forces on the LoC in Khuiratta sector on November 19," the Foreign Office said. The violations resulted in the death of four children, including three girls, and injuries to two other civilians, it said. "The Deputy High Commissioner was told that the deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas was highly deplorable," it said.

India was urged to respect the 2003 ceasefire understanding in letter and spirit; to investigate the continued incidents of ceasefire violations; stop targeting the villages and civilians and maintain peace along the LoC, according to a statement by the Foreign Office. Pakistan also expressed concern over Indian refusal of diplomatic flight clearance to Pakistani aircraft.

This action by the India constituted a violation of the 1991 bilateral agreement between Pakistan and India, it said. Pakistan has summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale twice in less than a week - on November 10 and 14 - this month over Indian ceasefire violations at the LoC after the death of seven of its soldiers. Pakistan has also alleged that Indian forces have been using heavy weaponry such as artillery fire at the LoC.