Pakistan summons Indian envoy over 'spy' drone, ceasefire violation along LoC

Islamabad: Pakistan on Thursday summoned India’s High Commissioner to Foreign Office in Islamabad and lodged strong protest over “air space violation” by an alleged Indian “spy” drone near the Line of Control and “ceasefire violation”. High Commissioner TCA Raghavan was called to the Foreign Office by Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry to lodge the protest over air space violation at Banchirian Sector near LoC yesterday, said a statement issued by the Foreign Office here. [caption id=“attachment_2345572” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption] It said an Indian spy drone entered Pakistan’s air space in violation of the International Law, Pakistan’s territorial integrity and the two Agreements of 1991 on Air Space Violation and Standard Operation Procedures of Advance Notice for Military Exercises, Military Manoeuvres and Troops Movement. Pakistan Army yesterday claimed that the Indian drone was being used for aerial photography near the LoC in Bhimber area of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and was “brought down for violation of Pakistan’s territorial integrity”. The Indian Army as well as the Indian Air Force, however, denied that any of their drone has been shot down or crashed. Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary also registered the Government’s concern over Heli maneuvers near LoC on July 11 2015, which was an offensive and threatening posture. Protest was also lodged for the “unprovoked ceasefire violation” by the BSF at Phuklian-Akhnor sector early morning on 15 July which continued until sunset, it said. The Foreign Secretary also protested the ceasefire violations which took place this morning at LoC and International Boundary, resulting in the death of one person and injury of three others. Chaudhry emphasised that in the spirit of maintaining peace and tranquility at the LoC and International Border, and the region at large, it was important that the 2003 Understanding on maintaining ceasefire is observed. Raghavan said he will convey the message to his government. Days after India and Pakistan agreed to re-engage, fresh strains surfaced in the ties yesterday after Pakistan Rangers violated the ceasefire twice by resorting to firing and mortar shelling in the Akhnoor sector in which a woman was killed and six others, including two BSF jawans, were injured. PTI