Pakistan lodges strong protest with India over its deliberate targeting of UN observers in LoC

Islamabad, December 19, 2020 (PPI-OT): Pakistan has lodged a strong protest with India over its deliberate targeting of Observers of the UN Military Observers Group in Chirikot Sector of the Line of Control. The Indian Chargé d’Affaires was summoned to the Foreign Office on Saturday to register the protest.

Both the Observers present in the vehicle were safely rescued and evacuated to Rawalakot by the Pakistan Army. However, their vehicle sustained damage. It was communicated to the Indian side that the brazen act was a flagrant violation of established international norms and represented a complete disregard for principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

It was also conveyed that the reprehensible act also represented a new low in the conduct of Indian occupation forces which target not only innocent civilians residing along the Line of Control but United Nations Observers as well.

The Indian side was called upon to desist from such blatant violations of international law; respect the 2003 ceasefire understanding between India and Pakistan; and let the UNMOGIP perform its role mandated by the UN Security Council.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri in a statement said the attack was unambiguously premeditated as UN vehicles are clearly recognizable even from long distances due to their distinctive marking and blue flag.

He said the deliberate targeting of a UN vehicle, engaged in discharging the mandate of the UN Security Council, constitutes a grave violation of India’s obligations, under the Council’s resolutions and the UN Charter, which includes the obligation to ensure the safety and security of the UNMOGIP Observers. It appears to be a new coercive and reckless Indian ploy to hinder the observers’ work.

For more information, contact:
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
Government of Pakistan
4th Floor, Cabinet Block, Pak. Secretariat, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9103557
Email: info@moib.gov.pk
Website: http://www.moib.gov.pk