Ceasefire violations: India warns Pakistan not to target civilians

NEW DELHI: India today reprimanded Pakistan over Pakistani soldiers targeting Indian civilians and school children along the Line of Control (LoC). India told Pakistan that such actions are not deemed appropriate for any army.

The development came to light during a telephonic conversation over a hotline between the Indian Army’s Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lt Gen AK Bhatt and his Pakistani counterpart Major General Sahir Shamshad Mirza at 1530 hours today.

The Indian Army’s Public Relations Officer, Col Aman Anand, said, “The Pakistan DGMO was informed of action by Pakistani troops wherein they had deliberately targeted civilian villages and then fired at school children while they were being evacuated. This, he was told does not behove of any Army. The Indian Army as professional force takes due care to avoid targeting of civilians and Pakistan Army was expected to do the same.”

On Wednesday, Pakistani troops fired at several villages and Indian posts in the Poonch-Rajouri belt of Jammu and Kashmir. A civilian was injured in the shelling. In addition, more than 100 children were trapped in two government schools in Rajouri when Pakistani troops fired at the area on Tuesday.

During talks, the Pakistani DGMO was also informed about the spate of ceasefire violations, sniping and attempted infiltration bids. During the previous such talks held on Monday, Lt Gen Bhatt made it clear to Maj Gen Mirza that the Indian Army reserved the right to retaliate appropriately to any ceasefire violation.