Islamabad warns India of ‘strategic miscalculation’
In this handout photograph released by Pakistan’s Inter Services Public Relations, Pakistani army chief Raheel Sharif and other military officials offer funeral prayers for soldiers on Monday.
Islamabad, November 14
In a rare admission, Pakistan today said seven of its soldiers were killed in “unprovoked” firing by Indian troops across the Line of Control, prompting it to summon the Indian envoy here to warn that India’s “belligerent” attitude may lead to a “strategic miscalculation”.Pakistani troops responded to “unprovoked” Indian firing and targeted Indian posts “effectively”, a statement by the Pakistan army said.Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale this afternoon and condemned the “unprovoked ceasefire” violation.Chaudhry emphasised that the “belligerent attitude” of Indian forces was a “serious threat to the regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation. It is for the second time in a week that Pakistan has summoned the Indian High Commissioner.On November 10, Bambawale was summoned to the Foreign Office to protest alleged ceasefire violations by Indian troops.Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asserted that his country was “fully capable” of defending its territory against “any aggression”. He expressed grief over the loss of lives in the “latest violation of LoC by Indian forces” . He claimed the Indian forces resorted to escalating tension on the LoC only to “uselessly divert” world’s attention from the “grave human rights situation” in Kashmir. Army chief General Raheel Sharif ordered troops to “effectively” respond to firing by India. Pakistan’s Adviser to the PM Sartaj Aziz also condemned the “unprovoked Indian firing”, the Foreign Office said. — PTI
Terror funding down to zero in Valley: ParrikarS
ince the demonetisation of high currency notes, terror funding has come down to zero and there hasn’t been stone-pelting on security forces (in Kashmir). Earlier, there were rates: Rs 500 for stone pelting (on security forces) and Rs 1,000 for doing something else. PM has brought terror funding to zero. —Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister
Pak says 7 soldiers killed on LoC; warns India against attack
A general view of part of the electric fence along the LoC between India and Pakistan is seen in Noushera sector, some 150kms from Jammu. AFP photo
Islamabad, November 14
Pakistan on Monday said seven of its soldiers were killed in “unprovoked” firing by Indian troops across the LoC, prompting it to summon the Indian envoy here to warn that India’s “belligerent” attitude may lead to a “strategic miscalculation”.
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Seven Pakistani soldiers were killed at the LoC in the Bhimber sector in an alleged ceasefire violation by Indian troops late last night, according to a statement by the Army.
Pakistani troops responded to “unprovoked” Indian firing and targeted Indian posts “effectively”, it said.
Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale this afternoon and condemned the “unprovoked ceasefire” violation by the Indian forces on the Line of Control (LoC).
The Foreign Secretary deplored the increasing Indian ceasefire violations at the LoC and the Working Boundary, especially in the last two months, a statement said.
He emphasised that this “belligerent attitude” of Indian forces was a “serious threat to the regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation”, the statement added.
The Foreign Secretary asked the Indian High Commissioner to convey to his government that it must stop the provocative firing and observe the ceasefire.
Pakistan is pursuing a policy of restraint, which should not be construed as a sign of weakness, the statement quoted him as saying.
He underlined that the Armed Forces of Pakistan do not initiate fire, but will always respond in a befitting manner, if fired upon, the statement said.
It is for the second time in a week that Pakistan has summoned Indian High Commissioner.
Pakistan on November 10 summoned Bambawale to the Foreign Office to protest over alleged ceasefire violations and use of artillery by the Indian forces.
Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif asserted that his country is “fully capable” of defending its territory against “any aggression”.
Sharif expressed grief over the loss of lives in the “latest violation of Line of Control (LoC) by the Indian forces” and said “it is extremely unfortunate that Indian forces have continuously violated ceasefire agreement at the LoC in the recent days”, Press Information Department Pakistan said.
“We are fully capable of defending our soil against any aggression,” it quoted Sharif as saying.
The Prime Minister also claimed that the Indian forces have resorted to escalating tension on the LoC only to “uselessly divert” the world’s attention from the “grave human rights situation” in Kashmir.
Army chief General Raheel Sharif ordered troops to “effectively” respond to firing by India. —PTI
Support India on terror, ours not a friendship to hide: Israel Prez
Reuven Rivlin, Israeli President
Mumbai/New Delhi, Nov 14
Friendship between India and Israel is at work “day in, day out” and is not a relationship “we should be hiding”, said Israeli President Reuven Rivlin as he pledged full support to India in fighting terrorism. Rivlin arrived today in Mumbai on an eight-day visit to India, the first by any Israeli President in nearly two decades.According to the Israeli mission in India, Rivlin is being accompanied by a large delegation of businessmen and academicians. Rivlin was welcomed at the Mumbai airport by Union Minister Harsh Vardhan and Israeli Ambassador Daniel Carmon.The Israeli President, who is in India on the invitation of President Pranab Mukherjee, later left for New Delhi where he is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior leaders. The last Israeli President to visit India was Ezer Weizman in January 1997.Officials said Rivlin is due to open an agro-tech conference in Chandigarh. He will also visit the sites of several Indo-Israeli projects.On his way back home, Rivlin is due to visit the Chabad House in Mumbai where six Israelis were killed during the November 26, 2008, terror attacks. He is also due to hold a meeting with representatives of the Jewish community in Mumbai.The delegation accompanying Rivlin is due to sign 15 separate agreements between Israeli and Indian educational institutions.The Israeli President acknowledged differences with India on the Palestinian issue but spoke warmly about the growing Indo-Israeli ties. — TNS/PTI