Pakistan on Tuesday blamed India for the recent ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Boundary in Jammu and Kashmir, during the festive spirit of Eid, and also sought for the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its due role in monitoring ceasefire to secure peace and tranquility in the region.
Expressing his deep concern over the recent escalation of violations of the cease fire along LoC and International boundary, Pakistan's National Security and Foreign Affairs Advisor, Sartaj Aziz said, "For seven days now, the Indian security forces have been firing and shelling across the Line of Control and Working Boundary. Yesterday was Eid day but the Indian forces, in complete disregard of the festive event, carried on the fire and put four innocent lives to death."
"The Eid day when Muslims celebrate the spirit of sacrifice, the Indian forces played havoc with the lives of four families whose dear ones embraced Shahadat. It is sad that the Indian government has not been able to restrain its forces despite strong diplomatic protest by Pakistan. We call upon Indian government to immediately cease fire and shelling and help us preserve tranquility," he added.
Holding India responsible yet again for the cancellation of Foreign Secretary level talks this year in August, Aziz said, "The government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been exercising utmost restraint and responsibility. We also extended a hand of friendship to India. However, with abrupt cancellation of Foreign Secretary level talks, the Indian side has shunned all our peace overtures. We hope that the Indian side would give peace a chance."
"Cease fire at the Line of Control and the Working Boundary must be preserved in the larger interest of the region and the peoples of the two countries," he added.
An official release of Pakistan's foreign ministry quoting Sartaj Aziz mentioned about how the Pakistani leader has emphasized on the need for UNMOGIP to play its due role to maintain peace in the region.
"We have often called for making full use of the channels available like hotline between DGs MO and Sector Commanders' meetings. Unfortunately, all our efforts to secure peace and tranquility on the Line of Control and the Work Boundary have elicited no cooperation from the Indian side," he said.
"UNMOGIP must also be enabled to play its due role in monitoring ceasefire to secure peace and tranquility on the Line of Control and Working Boundary," he added.
In Jammu and Kashmir, in yet another incidence of ceasefire violation, Pakistani forces resorted to firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar sector of Poonch district on Tuesday afternoon.
The exchange of fire was going on when the last reports came in. No report of any loss of life on the Indian side so far.
This is the eighteenth incidence of ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the LoC and International Border in Jammu region since first of this month.
