Pakistan summons Indian diplomat to protest attack on UN observers at LoC
Pakistan summons Indian diplomat to protest attack on UN observers at LoC
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) Pakistan on Saturday summoned the Indian Chargé d’Affaires to Foreign Office for registering strong protest at the deliberate targeting of Observers belonging to the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).
The UN Observers were on their way to Polas village in Azad Jammu and Kashmir to meet the victims of the Indian ceasefire violations in Chirikot Sector of the Line of Control (LOC).
“Both the Observers present in the vehicle thankfully remained unharmed and were safely rescued and evacuated to Rawalakot by the Pakistan Army. However, their vehicle sustained damage,” Foreign Office spokesperson said in a statement.
He said the attack was unambiguously premeditated as the UN vehicles were clearly recognizable even from long distances due to their distinctive marking and blue flag.
He said the deliberate targeting of a UN vehicle, engaged in discharging the mandate of the UN Security Council, constituted a grave violation of India’s obligations, under the Council’s resolutions and the UN Charter, which included the obligation to ensure the safety and security of the UNMOGIP Observers.
“It appears to be a new coercive and reckless Indian ploy to hinder the observers’ work,” the spokesperson remarked.
He said it was communicated to the Indian side that the brazen act was a flagrant violation of established international norms and represented a complete disregard for principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.
It was also conveyed that the reprehensible act also represented a new low in the conduct of Indian occupation forces which target not only innocent civilians residing along the Line of Control but United Nations Observers as well.
The Indian side was called upon to desist from such blatant violations of international law; respect the 2003 ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan; and let the UNMOGIP perform its role mandated by the UN Security Council.
Indian Army opens unprovoked fire targeting UN military observers in Azad Kashmir
A United Nations vehicle carrying two military observers has been targeted by Indian troops in unprovoked fire along Line of Control (LOC).
According to a statement released by the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), Indian Army resorted to unprovoked fire in Chirikot Sector of LOC on Friday. The Indian troops deliberately targeted a UN vehicle with two military observers on board, who were travelling to interact with victims of Indian ceasefire violations in Polas Village, Chirikot Sector.
ISPR said that UN vehicles are clearly recognisable, even from extended distances because of their distinct make and type as well as clearly visible markings. The statement said that the UN vehicle sustained damage but the two military observers came out unharmed. They were safely rescued and evacuated by forces to Rawalakot.
ISPR’s statement said that such illegal and unlawful acts against by India, which go against all established international norms, signify the malicious intent of Indian Army to target not only innocent civilians residing along the LOC but UN Peace Keepers as well.
This act was a new low and only shows Indian Army’s complete disregard for the principles enshrined in the UN Charter, ISPR said.
It assured that Pakistan Army stands in solidarity with United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) officials and appreciates their selfless services rendered in discharge of their UN mandated duties.
