ISLAMABAD: Islamabad and Delhi traded barbs on Thursday over skirmishes along the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary (WB) that left four people dead and the downing by Pakistani troops of a spy drone which was believed to have been operated by Indian military.

The reignited tensions threatened to reverse the progress made during the July 10 meeting in Russian town of Ufa between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi for de-escalating tension in the relationship.

Indian High Commis­sioner TCA Raghavan was summoned to the Foreign Office over the troubling incidents that took place during the past few days along the LoC and WB, including the unprovoked firing by Indian forces, Pakistan’s airspace violation by an Indian unmanned aerial vehicle and India’s helicopter manoeuvres.

“Protest was lodged for the unprovoked ceasefire violation by the Indian BSF at Phuklian-Akhnor sector early morning on July 15, which continued until sunset. The Foreign Secretary also protested the ceasefire violations which took place this morning at LoC and Working Boundary,” a Foreign Office statement said.

Spokesman says firing along the LoC, WB is against the understanding reached at Ufa

According to ISPR, three civilians, identified as Ghulam Mustafa, Rahat and Boota from Malana and Salehpur villages, were killed by the unprovoked Indian firing along the Working Boundary near Sialkot. And a girl, Zareena Bibi (18), was killed near LoC in Rawalakot’s Nezapir sector by Indian firing.

FO said Pakistani troops responded with restraint.

“The Foreign Secretary (Aizaz Chaudhry) emphasised that in the spirit of maintaining peace and tranquillity at the LoC and WB, and the region at large, it was important that the 2003 understanding on maintaining ceasefire is observed,” the statement said.

Speaking at the weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said Indian firing along the LoC and WB was against the spirit of understanding reached at Ufa.

Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz in a briefing earlier this week on the Ufa meeting said that one of the objectives achieved (through the meeting in Ufa) was reduction in tensions and creation of environment for a meaningful dialogue.

“Peace and tranquillity on the Line of Control and the Working Boundary is in the interest of both sides,” the FO spokesman underscored.

Reiterating Pakistan’s commitment to peace with India, he reminisced that despite ceasefire violations by India in the past Islamabad did not turn away from discussing outstanding issues with Delhi.

India on its part accused Pakistani troops of attacking villages and military posts in Jammu and Kashmir’s Akhnoor sector ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s visit to the region on Friday.

Indian foreign secretary S. Jaishankar said at a press conference in Delhi: “Any unprovoked firing by Pakistan would be met with an effective response. We will not let our guard down.”

The Indian foreign secretary’s response came after a high-level huddle in Delhi involving Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj, Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval for discussing the LoC and WB flare-up. Mr Doval has since Wednesday spoken thrice to Pakistan’s High Commissioner in India Abdul Basit over the renewed clashes.

SPY DRONE: A protest was also lodged with High Commissioner Raghavan over the remotely piloted Indian aerial vehicle on a spying mission that was downed by Pakistani troops near LoC on Wednesday.

The FO statement said that Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry lodged a strong protest over the airspace violation at Banchirian Sector (near Bhimber) by an Indian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

Mr Raghavan was told that the UAV entered Pakistan’s airspace in violation of the international law, Pakistan’s territorial integrity and the two agreements of 1991 on airspace violation and SOPs of Advance Notice for Military Exercises, Military Manoeuvres and Troops Movement.

Mr Chaudhry also conveyed concern over helicopter manoeuvres near LoC on July 11 by the Indian military.

He told Mr Raghavan that the manoeuvres were offensive and threatening.

But speaking to media in Delhi, Indian Foreign Secretary Jaishankar rejected the Pakistani claim that the downed spy drone was Indian.

“The picture of the drone in question shows it’s not of Indian design or available in the Indian armed forces’ inventory. It appears to be of Chinese design,” Mr Jaishankar said.

Rejecting the allegation as bizarre, the Indian foreign secretary said: “There is a high possibility that they have deliberately or inadvertently shot down one of their unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and passed the blame on India.”

ZAID HAMID: Spokesman Khalilullah revealed at the weekly briefing that after delays in Pakistan’s request to Saudi authorities for consular access to defence analyst Zahid Hamid, who has been detained during a visit to the Kingdom, the Saudi embassy in Islamabad was asked to assist.

“Our request regarding consular access to Mr Zaid Hamid is still under consideration of the Saudi authorities. In order to expedite the matter, we have also requested assistance of the Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Islamabad,” he said.

MISSING PAKISTANI: Responding to a query about Umar Mobeen, a Pakistani who went missing from Dubai two years ago, the spokesman said efforts for his recovery were continuing.

“Let me underscore that the Consulate General of Pakistan in Dubai took notice of this case even before the petitioner (father of the missing person) approached them. Ever since, the Embassy of Pakistan in Abu Dhabi and our Consulate General in Dubai have been vigorously pursuing the case. Both missions are in contact with the UAE authorities concerned and are making efforts for the recovery of Mr Umar Mobeen,” he said.

THREE KILLED IN INDIAN SHELLING: Giving details of the Working Boundary firing, Abid Hussain Mehdi reported from Sialkot that three people were killed by Indian Border Security Force’s mortar shelling in Chaprar sector.

Reports said the BSF started shelling at 2am which continued till 5am, targeting the civilian population.

In village Salehpur, farmer Rahat Mehmood (58), a father of four, was standing on the roof of his house when he was hit by mortar shells. He died on the spot.

Farmer Mohammad Boota (60) was feeding his cattle at Riasmaana village when he was killed.

In Malana-Nandpur, farmer Ghulam Mustafa (46) was hit by shells.

Boota, his brother Mohammad Arshad, Saleema Bibi (55), Mohammad Aslam (46) and Shahida Bibi (35) suffered injuries. They were admitted to the Combined Military Hospital in Sialkot where Ms Shahida was said to be in a serious condition.

According to Punjab Rangers, its personnel took immediate retaliatory action.

The aggrieved families placed the bodies in village squares and protested against India.

Later, the deceased were laid to rest in Riasmaana, Salehpur and Malana villages.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2015

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