Pakistan rejects Indian army chief's warning

Source :  Xinhua

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 15(Xinhua) --Pakistan on Tuesday rejected remarks by Indian army chief that the killing of two Indian soldiers was a pre-planned and pre-meditated action by Pakistani troops and India reserves the right to retaliate at "time and place of its choice," local media reported.

Indian army chief Gen. Bikram Singh on Monday blamed Pakistan for the 2003 ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC), which divides the two countries in the disputed Kashmir region, and termed as "unpardonable" the alleged beheading of a soldier by Pakistan.

A Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson said that Pakistan did not want to vitiate the already tense situation along the LoC by making irresponsible statements.

He was responding to the recent remarks made by the Indian army chief on the ceasefire violations on the Line of Control, the Foreign Ministry said.

"Pakistan attaches great importance to the ongoing peace process with India, and is committed to resolve the issue of LOC violations under the agreed mechanism," the spokesman said in a statement.

Pakistan and India accused each other of ceasefire violations over the past 10 days, which resulted into the killing of four soldiers from the two sides.

The Pakistani spokesman also reiterated the country's earlier offer to hold a thorough investigation into the recent violations of LOC by the United Nations Military Observer's Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).

He welcomed the statement by the Indian Minister for External Affairs who reiterated his government's commitment to ensure that the peace process would not be derailed.

The Spokesperson underlined Pakistan's desire to continue the dialogue process with India in a sustained and result-oriented manner.

It is important that both sides make serious efforts to avoid distractions in their common efforts towards creating a peaceful environment, he said.

Fresh exchange of fire between India, Pakistan armies in Kashmir

Source :  Xinhua | English.news.cn

SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Jan. 13 (Xinhua) -- The armies of India and Pakistan Sunday exchanged heavy fire and artillery shells once again on line-of-control (LoC) in Indian- controlled Kashmir, officials said.

The ceasefire violation took place Sunday evening along the LoC in Krishna Ghati sector of frontier Poonch district, around 180 km southwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian- controlled Kashmir.

"Pakistani troops this evening again resorted to unprovoked firing using machine guns and mortars on our several posts," said Col. R K Palta, Indian army spokesman based in Jammu. "We also retaliated back."

LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into Indian and Pakistani controlled parts. "We have not suffered any damage due to Pakistani firing today," said Palta.

The ongoing skirmish since last Sunday between Indian and Pakistani troopers on LoC is heightening tension between the two nuclear neighbors. So far four troopers of both countries, two from each side, were killed in these skirmishes on LoC.

Both New Delhi and Islamabad accuse each other of resorting to unprovoked firing on LoC and breaching the ceasefire line. New Delhi and Islamabad in 2003 agreed to observe a ceasefire along the international border and LoC in Kashmir. Though some violations have been reported on both sides, the ceasefire remains in effect.

Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between India and Pakistan, is claimed by both in full. Since their independence from British, the two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.

Pakistan said it wants a third party inquiry into the ceasefire violations on the LoC. Islamabad, according to reports, has already contacted United Nations Military Observer Group in Indian and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) and proposed investigation into ceasefire violations. However, New Delhi has rejected any UN investigation, saying they do not want to internationalize the issue.

An office of UNMOGIP is also in Srinagar. The office was set up in 1949 to monitor the ceasefire line, now known as LoC.

Pakistani FM seeks third party inquiry into cross-border attacks

Source : Xinhua | English.news.cn

ISLAMABAD, Jan. 10 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar Thursday said Pakistan wants a third party inquiry into the ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border between Pakistan and India in the disputed Kashmir region, after India accused Pakistani forces of killing two of its soldiers.

The foreign minister told a news conference in Islamabad that Pakistan has also contacted United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) and proposed investigation into the border violations.

"Pakistan abides by the ceasefire and follows the mechanism to deal with such kinds of issues," she said while speaking at a joint press conference along with the visiting Foreign Minister of Thailand Surapong Tovichakchaikul.

Reports from India suggest that New Delhi has rejected Pakistan 's offer that the UN probes the alleged LoC clashes.

Indian officials alleged that Pakistani forces entered some 100 meters into its territory and killed two soldiers, adding that one soldier was beheaded.

Reacting strongly to the contradictory statements emanating from India, Foreign Minister Khar said Pakistan made responsible statements and followed the mechanism to defuse the situation.

"Pakistan will not like to escalate situation with India and hoped the recent incident at the LoC will not cause setback to the peace process," she said.

She said Pakistan has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to improve relations with India. "In this regard, we have also taken several trust building measures," she said.

She said the people of Pakistan are peace loving and extend a hand of friendship to all the regional countries including India. She said her country has taken a lead role in building trust with India.

To a question about the granting of the Most Favored Nation status to Indiam, Hina Rabbani Khar said Islamabad remains committed to improving trade relations with New Delhi. "Pakistan wants removal of all visible and invisible trade barriers with India," she said.

Pakistan-India tension has prompted international calls for calm and talks to avoid escalations. The UN and the United States, have appealed to Pakistan and India to respect the ceasefire in the Kashmir region.

In New Delhi, Pakistani High Commissioner was summoned to the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday and a formal protest was lodged over the alleged Pakistani incursion.

Senior Pakistani and Indian military officials on Wednesday also talked on phone and discussed the current situation, the Pakistani military said.