Pakistan summons Indian envoy over citizens’ killing in LoC firing

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Office on Wednesday summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale and lodged a protest over the killing of its citizens and troops on Line of Control (LoC).

FO Spokesman Nafees Zakaria said that a strong protest was lodged against the Indian aggression, resulting in the martyrdom of nine Pakistani civilians and three soldiers.

He said that a protest note was handed to the Indian envoy which said that India must refrain from targeting unarmed citizens.

The protest note further said that India must abide by the ceasefire agreement.  

At least nine civilians were martyred and several including women and children injured as a result of unprovoked Indian shelling at the LoC earlier today.

According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Indian forces carried out unprovoked artillery shelling in Neelum Valley at the LoC. The ISPR placed the death toll at seven civilians martyred and 11 injured.

Indian troops fired a rocket at a passenger bus near Dhaundiyal. They also fired at an ambulance and targeted the settlements along the border, ISPR said.

Seven of those targeted by Indian shelling were critically injured, officials said. A shell was fired at a house where a girl was martyred and three people, including a woman, were injured.

The ISPR added that Pakistani troops responded in a befitting manner to the Indian aggression during which 7 Indian soldiers were killed.