Ceasefire violations by India on 14 October 2017

(2017-10-15) The Acting Director General (SA & SAARC) summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces in Kotli/Nikial Sector on 14 October 2017 resulting in the shahadat of 2 children (8 years old Saad, resident of Kainat Dherri village and 14 years old Hummayun, residents of village Balakot), and injuries to 4 others, including 3 children. Despite calls for restraint, India continues to indulge in ceasefire violations. In 2017 to date, Indian forces have carried out more than 1100 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary, resulting in the shahadats of 47 innocent civilians and injuries to 159, as compared to 382 ceasefire violations in 2016.

The deliberate targeting of civilians is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity and international human rights and humanitarian laws. The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation.

The Acting Director General (SA & SAARC) urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit and maintain peace on the LoC. He urged that the Indian side should permit UNMOGIP to play its mandated role as per the UN Security Council resolutions.

Islamabad
15 October 2017

352/2017