Foreign Secretary summons Indian HC, condemns ceasefire violation

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ISLAMABAD: Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry summoned the Indian High Commissioner here on Monday and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violation by the Indian occupation forces on the Line of Control (LoC), resulting in the martyrdom of seven Pakistani soldiers in Bhimber area.

The Foreign Secretary deplored the increasing Indian ceasefire violations at the Line of Control (LoC) and the Working Boundary, especially in the last two months, which was against the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding and the principles of international law, a Foreign Office statement said.

He emphasized that the belligerent attitude of Indian occupation forces was a serious threat to the regional peace and security, and might lead to a strategic miscalculation.

The Foreign Secretary asked the Indian High Commissioner to convey to his government that it must stop the provocative firing and observe the ceasefire.

Pakistan was pursuing a policy of restraint, which should not be construed as a sign of weakness, he added.

He underlined that the Armed Forces of Pakistan did not initiate fire, but would always respond in a befitting manner, if fired upon.