Pakistan summons Indian High Commissioner over LoC firing

Islamabad, Aug 23: Pakistan on Thursday summoned High Commissioner T C A Raghavan to protest the killing of one of its soldiers in firing along the LoC, the second time an Indian diplomat has been called in by the Foreign Office in as many days.

Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani called Raghavan to the Foreign Office and conveyed Pakistan's serious concern over "continued and unwarranted ceasefire violations by the Indian Army resulting in loss of precious human lives".

Jilani called on the Indian government to "respect the ceasefire agreement and desist from such acts which have the potential of further escalating the tension", said a statement from the Foreign Office.

The Foreign Secretary also expressed the Pakistan government’s desire to engage in a "constructive dialogue process" with India to reduce tensions and restore peace and tranquillity along the Line of Control in Kashmir.

"In this regard, (Jilani) proposed that senior officials from the foreign ministries and militaries could meet to discuss ways and means to strengthen and expand the existing military and political mechanisms to ensure that the ceasefire agreement was observed in letter and spirit," the statement said.

Pakistan had yesterday summoned Indian Deputy High Commissioner Gopal Baglay to protest the killing of a Pakistan Army captain on the LoC. Tensions along the LoC have increased in recent days, with both sides claiming the firing was started by the other. The firing erupted after five Indian soldiers were killed in an attack by Pakistani troops two weeks ago.

The tensions on the LoC have cast a shadow over the resumption of bilateral peace talks, which were put on hold after an Indian soldier was beheaded and the mutilated body of another was found following an attack by Pakistani troops on the LoC on January 8.

PTI