Pakistan army chief accuses India of targeting civilians

Pakistan Army Chief, General Raheel Sharif, Friday accused India of "targeting civilians" hours after officials said Indian shelling killed at least eight people and injured over 40.

The army chief visited the border region with India, discussed security with the border forces and enquired about the health of the injured being treated in a military hospital, the military said.

"India has crossed all limits to terrorise Pakistani civilian population and disregarding international conventions and norms," General Raheel Sharif said while talking to the paramilitary troops at their headquarters near the border with India, an army statement said.

Pakistan and India had declared ceasefire along the Line of Control in the disputed Kashmir region in 2003 and there had been relatively calm. However, border troops of both countries occasionally exchange firing.

Both accuse each other of ceasefire violations and the Pakistani Army Chief said, "India has blatantly violated ceasefire along the LoC and Working Boundary."

Indian officials also said that three civilians were killed and several injured in "shelling by Pakistani forces."

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also expressed his concerns over firing by Indian troops along the working boundary, the prime minister's office said Friday.

The prime minister also directed Foreign Office and defence authorities to take up the matter with their counterparts.

A statement from the army's Inter-Services Public Relations said the border officials briefed the army chief of the latest situation.

"Indian firing and violation targeting civilian is highly unprofessional, unethical, irresponsible and cowardly," an army statement quoted General Raheel Sharif as telling the troops.

General Raheel Sharif appreciated the high morale of the deployed troops and civilians and commended Rangers for their " befitting response to unprovoked Indian firing."

The latest cross-border shelling has taken place ahead of a meeting between Pakistan and Indian border officials in New Delhi.

Foreign Office Spokesperson Qazi Khalilullah said on Thursday that meeting between Director General of Pakistan Rangers and his Indian counterpart will take place in New Delhi next month.

Rangers, a paramilitary force, perform duties along the borders with India in Punjab and eastern Sindh province.

Source: XINHUA