Pakistan summons Indian envoy over border firing

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan on Monday summoned a senior Indian envoy and conveyed serious concerns over the " violations of a ceasefire agreement by the Indian forces," the Foreign Ministry said.

Pakistan says the Indian troops fired on its border areas on Monday and killed a civilian along the Line of Control (LoC), which divides the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region.

"The Foreign Office summoned the Indian deputy high commissioner this afternoon to raise this concern which has resulted in the loss of an innocent civilian life in Rawalakot (in Kashmir)," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

Pakistan expressed its serious concern over the continuous ceasefire violations by Indian border security force (BSF) across the LoC over the past couple of days, it said.

Pakistan and India reached ceasefire in 2003 and there had been a calm along the LoC. However both sides accused each other of violation following escalations in January this year.

"Pakistan calls upon India to uphold the ceasefire over the LoC and reiterates its commitment to the ceasefire agreement of 2003, which should be respected in letter and spirit," the Foreign Ministry said.

Pakistan also urged the need for abiding by and strengthening existing military mechanisms to ensure that such violations do not recur.

"Pakistan is committed to a constructive, sustained and result- oriented process of engagement with India and believes that serious efforts need to be made in maintaining a positive atmosphere and avoid negative propaganda," the statement said.

Military officials earlier said Indian troops resorted to unprovoked firing in the wee hours of this morning in Battal, Chirikot and Satwal sectors. A civilian named Muhammad Zubair was killed due to unprovoked Indian shelling, they said, adding Pakistani troops effectively responded to the Indian firing.

Indian officials meanwhile said Monday Pakistani troops " violated ceasefire again by resorting to unprovoked firing on our forward posts in Digwar, Mankote and Durga Battalion of Poonch."

The Indian army also retaliated to the firing from Pakistani side. However, The Indian army officials said they have not suffered any damage in the exchange, Indian media reported.