ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and India have summoned each other’s diplomats after two unarmed Pakistani civilians were killed in firing by India’s Border Security Force (BSF) along the international border, in an incident that has sharply raised tensions between the two neighbours.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said the two civilians were killed in the Bedian sector, while another person was wounded. “The BSF personnel resorted to unprovoked and lethal force against unarmed civilians. Such use of force was wholly unjustified and grossly disproportionate,” the ministry said, adding that India’s charge d’affaires was summoned to receive a strong protest.
Islamabad categorically rejected any attempt to describe those killed as “infiltrators” and urged New Delhi to conduct an immediate, transparent and credible investigation, take disciplinary and legal action against those responsible, and share the findings with Pakistan.
India’s Foreign Ministry, however, rejected what it called “baseless and motivated allegations”. It said three people had crossed into Indian territory in the Ferozepur sector of Punjab and kept moving towards the border fence despite repeated warnings, and that the BSF was “compelled” to engage them. India also summoned the charge d’affaires of the Pakistan High Commission to protest alleged cross-border infiltration.