Pakistan on Saturday summoned India’s Charge d’Affaires to lodge a “strong protest” over the killing of two Pakistani civilians by the Indian Border Security Force (BSF) in the Bedian Sector along the Pakistan-India international border.
A day earlier, Jattan Wali Haveli in Ladhar residents Azmat Rasool Shah and Mohsin Jutt were short dead in cross-border firing. Another Pakistani civilian was injured in the incident.
Local media reported all three civilians were unarmed and were targeted without warning after moving only a few steps beyond a border pillar. They said the civilians had not attempted to cross the border fence.
In a statement, the Foreign Office said the BSF personnel had resorted to “unprovoked lethal force” against unarmed civilians, describing it as “wholly unjustified and grossly disproportionate.” It categorically rejected any attempt to characterize the deceased as “infiltrators,” emphasizing that the incident constituted 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.
The Foreign Office has urged India to conduct an immediate, transparent and credible investigation into the incident. Pakistan also demanded appropriate disciplinary and legal action against those found responsible, adding India should formally communicate the findings of the investigation and action taken to the Government of Pakistan.
India was also urged to ensure respect for fundamental human rights and international law, strictly observe relevant bilateral arrangements and established border procedures, and exercise maximum restraint in dealing with such situations. Additionally, the Foreign Office called on India to take effective measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.