Seven Pakistani soldiers martyred in unprovoked Indian firing at LoC

RAWALPINDI: Seven Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom after Indian forces carried out unprovoked firing at the Line of Control (LoC) late Sunday night, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.

Indian forces started unprovoked firing in Bhimber sector at LoC overnight, which was befittingly responded to by the Pakistani troops. Pakistani forces effectively targeted Indian posts across the border, ISPR said.

State Minister for Information Maryam Aurangzeb said that they are keeping an eye on the situation in Pakistan. “We will give a befitting response to Indian atrocities. If India crosses its boundaries they will be at loss.”

On November 8 unprovoked firing at the LoC by Indian Border Security Forces martyred three civilians. A woman and her daughter were martyred in mortar attack in Mandhol, ISPR had confirmed. 

Pakistan summons Indian HC over LoC firing

The Foreign Office also summoned Indian High Commissioner to Pakistan, Gautam Bambawale and lodged protest against Indian aggression that resulted in the martyrdom of seven Pakistani soldiers.

Can defend ourselves against any aggression: PM

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif strongly condemned the aggressive act by India that inflicted casualties.

He said that Pakistan is capable of defending itself against any aggressive designs and India is escalating violence to divert attention from the situation in Occupied Kashmir.

COAS attends funeral prayers of martyred soldiers

The Chief of Army Staff Gen Raheel Sharif attended the funeral prayers of the martyred soldiers, which were held in Jehlum.

According to ISPR, the COAS was also briefed about the ongoing situation along the LoC.

The Army chief said that the Army will not leave any stone unturned for the defence of the motherland.

India’s unprovoked firing will be befittingly responded to, vowed the COAS.

India has started using heavy artillery: Defence minister

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that India has started use of heavy artillery along the Line of Control, adding that Pakistan is responding ‘in the same language’.

The defence minister was talking to Geo News and said at first India limited the violence to mortar shelling, but now has resorted to heavy gunfire.

“The other side faced casualties as well,” he said. The world needs to understand that a clash between two nuclear powers can result in heavy damage to the region, he added.

LoC violations by Indian forces continue

The Pakistan Foreign Office last week summoned Deputy Indian  High Commissioner JP Singh and registered strong protest over its continued violation of the LoC and Working Boundary ceasefire agreement.

A few weeks ago Indian forces violated the LoC and targeted civil population. Four civilians in Nakial sector were martyred while six others were seriously injured due to the firing.

Tensions have flared between the two nuclear-armed states after the killing of a Kashmiri separatist Burhani Wani by Indian forces in July. The occupied valley has been under the grip of a curfew and protests have been dispersed by pellet firing by Indian army, which has rendered scores of people blind.

Pakistan has protested the continued violation of human rights by Indian troops at various international forums including the United Nations.

India has retaliated with continued unprovoked firing at the Working Boundary and LoC.