The Government of India on Thursday summoned a Pakistan High Commission official to protest incidents of terrorist infiltration and unprovoked firing on civilians across the Line of Control by the Pakistani security forces, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
According to the MEA, the official was told about specific incidents on December 21 and 26, where India has expressed “grave concerns” about consistent violation of bilateral commitments by Pakistan.
“This year, despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the ceasefire understanding of 2003 for maintaining peace and tranquillity, Pakistan forces have carried out over 1,962 incidents of unprovoked ceasefire violations in which 50 Indians have lost their lives,” the MEA statement said.
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The Indian protest comes amidst another spat over the treatment of Indian diplomatic personnel based in Islamabad. On Thursday, Pakistan denied Indian complaints that Pakistan has delayed clearing gas connections to the Indian High Commission residential complex and is harassing diplomats. “Pakistan upholds the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations and has always strived to facilitate Indian High Commission operations,” said Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman Muhammad Faisal.