At least three Pakistani citizens, including a minor, were killed and 22 injured along the Working Boundary area in Sialkot district during an exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani security forces. An Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement late Tuesday evening said three civilians ─ including a minor ─ were killed due to “unprovoked firing” by Indian troops in Sukhial village. In July, Pakistani officials blamed the BSF for killing four civilians in two separate incidents of cross-border firing in Sialkot’s Chaprar sector and Rawalakot’s Neza Pir sector. Tensions along the border between the two neighbours have escalated despite an hour-long meeting between Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his Indian counterpart, Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Ufa, Russia on July 10. A border ceasefire agreement signed by the neighbours in 2003 has largely held, but both frequently accuse each other of breaching it. Such skirmishes have continued now for over a year, killing dozens and displacing many more. They are a significant factor in the heightening of tensions between the two countries and it does not appear that the Indian side has any intention of halting them. This raises questions over the wisdom of holding talks at this point – although it should be noted that dialogue is always welcome and remains the only viable way to solve the growing problems which exist between India and Pakistan. The Pakistan Foreign Office has already lodged a protest and sought an explanation. What is disturbing, however, is that the mechanisms set in place to try and limit cross-border incidents are not working and nor does New Delhi appear to be abiding by the commitment made by its prime minister during talks with his Pakistani counterpart at Ufa in Russia to work towards an improvement in relations. The latest firing incident demonstrates that more urgent measures have become necessary. The loss of life is unacceptable. It is also essential to the region that stability be maintained between India and Pakistan so that they can jointly battle the problems that plague their countries. This includes militancy. While India has expressed grave concerns over Pakistan’s alleged support for Kashmiri freedom fighters and accused it of interventions in India, the fact is that such firing incidents do nothing to build trust for New Delhi in Pakistan and simply add to the animosity which is then played up by hawks on either side of the border. Pakistan needs to urge New Delhi to rethink its strategy and also involve the international community in this. It is already working to pull in the UN and now needs to step up lobbying at the international level to ensure some measure of normalcy can be restored and calm returned along the border area where villagers live in a constant state of fear.
pk.shafaqna.com
