Pak says 7 soldiers killed on LoC; warns India against attack

Islamabad, November 14

Pakistan on Monday said seven of its soldiers were killed in "unprovoked" firing by Indian troops across the LoC, prompting it to summon the Indian envoy here to warn that India's "belligerent" attitude may lead to a "strategic miscalculation".

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Seven Pakistani soldiers were killed at the LoC in the Bhimber sector in an alleged ceasefire violation by Indian troops late last night, according to a statement by the Army.

Pakistani troops responded to "unprovoked" Indian firing and targeted Indian posts "effectively", it said.

Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale this afternoon and condemned the "unprovoked ceasefire" violation by the Indian forces on the Line of Control (LoC).

The Foreign Secretary deplored the increasing Indian ceasefire violations at the LoC and the Working Boundary, especially in the last two months, a statement said.

He emphasised that this "belligerent attitude" of Indian forces was a "serious threat to the regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation", the statement added.

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 is pursuing a policy of restraint, which should not be construed as a sign of weakness, the statement quoted him as saying.

He underlined that the Armed Forces of Pakistan do not initiate fire, but will always respond in a befitting manner, if fired upon, the statement said.

It is for the second time in a week that Pakistan has summoned Indian High Commissioner.

Pakistan on November 10 summoned Bambawale to the Foreign Office to protest over alleged ceasefire violations and use of artillery by the Indian forces.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asserted that his country is "fully capable" of defending its territory against "any aggression".

Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives in the "latest violation of Line of Control (LoC) by the Indian forces" and said "it is extremely unfortunate that Indian forces have continuously violated ceasefire agreement at the LoC in the recent days", Press Information Department Pakistan said.

"We are fully capable of defending our soil against any aggression," it quoted Sharif as saying.

The Prime Minister also claimed that the Indian forces have resorted to escalating tension on the LoC only to "uselessly divert" the world's attention from the "grave human rights situation" in Kashmir.

Army chief General Raheel Sharif ordered troops to "effectively" respond to firing by India. —PTI