In tit-for-tat move, India, Pakistan summon top envoys

It said the “Pakistani side was informed that three individuals infiltrated into Indian territory and despite multiple warnings by BSF to return to Pakistan, continued to move towards the border fence. The BSF was compelled to engage them for posing an imminent security threat.”

The MEA said the incident highlights a “clear pattern of repeated cross-border movement by armed narcotics syndicates operating from Pakistan. Government of Pakistan was urged to investigate these cross-border infiltration, drug smuggling activities and the complicity of Pakistan border guarding forces therein, and to take appropriate remedial measures.”

It said Pakistan was further urged to “ensure respect for the sanctity of the International Border, strictly observe relevant bilateral arrangements, mandate its forces to exercise effective control to prevent unauthorised movement from its side, and take definitive measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents”.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Foreign Office said the Indian Charge d’Affaires was summoned to its Ministry of Foreign Affairs to “lodge Pakistan’s strong protest over the killing”.

“The BSF personnel resorted to unprovoked lethal force against unarmed civilians. Such use of force was wholly unjustified and grossly disproportionate, resulting in the tragic loss of two precious lives,” it said.

It further said the incident amounted to a serious violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to life, and raised serious concerns regarding the protection of civilian life under international law.

It called upon the Indian side “to conduct an immediate, transparent and credible investigation” into the incident, take appropriate disciplinary and legal action against those found responsible, and formally communicate the findings and action taken to the Pakistani government.

With PTI inputs from Islamabad