Indian CFV martyrs a civilian worker

ISLAMABAD: South Asia/south Asian association for regional cooperation (SA/SAARC) director general Mohammad Faisal summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner J.P. Singh on Thursday and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations (CFVs) by the Indian occupation forces along the line of control (LoC), on Thursday in Rawalakot/Satwal sector resulting in the martyrdom of a labourer, working at a civilian crush plant, at Poonch river bank.

According to an official statement, despite calls for restraint, India continues to indulge in CFVs. In 2018, the Indian forces carried out more than 391 CFVs along the LoC and the working boundary (WB), resulting in the martyrdom of 16 innocent civilians and injuries to 65 others.

This unprecedented escalation in CFVs by India is continuing from the year 2017 when the Indian forces committed more than 1,970 CFVs.

The “deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas” is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international human rights and humanitarian laws.

The CFVs by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation.

Faisal 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 and the WB.

He urged that the Indian side should permit united nations military observer group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to play its mandated role as per the united nations (UN) security council resolutions.