Pakistan Protests Civilian Deaths in ‘Unprovoked’ Indian Firing

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan summoned India’s Charge d’Affaires on Saturday to lodge a “strong protest” over the martyrdom of two Pakistani civilians in firing by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in the Bedian Sector along the Pakistan-India international border.

The Indian diplomat was summoned a day after Azmat Rasool Shah and Mohsin Jutt, residents of Jattan Wali Haveli in Ladhar, were martyred in the firing. Another Pakistani civilian was also injured.

According to security sources, the three civilians were unarmed and were targeted without warning after moving only a few steps beyond a border pillar. The sources said they had not attempted to cross the border fence.

In a statement, the Foreign Office said BSF personnel used “unprovoked lethal force” against unarmed civilians on Friday, calling the action “wholly unjustified and grossly disproportionate”.

Pakistan rejected any attempt to describe the deceased as “infiltrators”, according to the Foreign Office.

The Foreign Office said the incident was a serious violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to life, and raised concerns about the protection of civilians under international law.

Pakistan called on India to conduct an immediate, transparent and credible investigation into the incident.

It also demanded appropriate disciplinary and legal action against those found responsible and asked India to formally share the investigation findings and details of action taken with the Pakistani government.

Pakistan further urged India to respect fundamental human rights and international law, follow relevant bilateral arrangements and established border procedures, and exercise maximum restraint in such situations.

The Foreign Office also called on India to take effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The border firing took place a day after the Pakistani military alleged an Indian false-flag operation, in which Indian authorities claimed to have killed a former Pakistani soldier during an encounter in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK).

At a press conference on October 1, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry presented retired Special Services Group (SSG) commando Havildar Muhammad Asif before the media.