Pakistan summons Indian envoy over border killings

Pakistan has summoned India’s Chargé d’Affaires and lodged a strong protest over the killing of two Pakistani civilians near the international border in Kasur.

The Foreign Office said the incident took place in the Bedian Sector, where Indian Border Security Force personnel allegedly opened fire on three unarmed Pakistani civilians on Friday. Two men were killed, while another was injured.

According to the Foreign Office, the civilians had moved a short distance beyond a border pillar when the Indian personnel opened fire without warning. Pakistan rejected India’s reported description of the deceased as “infiltrators”, calling the use of lethal force unjustified and disproportionate.

The Foreign Office said the incident raised serious concerns regarding the protection of civilians and constituted a violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to life.

Pakistan has called on India to conduct an immediate, transparent and credible investigation. Islamabad also demanded appropriate legal and disciplinary action against those found responsible and urged New Delhi to formally share the findings of the investigation.

The Foreign Office further urged India to respect international law, follow established border procedures and bilateral arrangements, and exercise maximum restraint to prevent similar incidents in the future.

The latest killings have again highlighted the risks faced by civilians living close to the Pakistan-India border. Cross-border firing has caused civilian deaths and injuries in several incidents over the past decade.

In October 2016, two Pakistani civilians, including a toddler, were killed and seven others were injured in firing across the Working Boundary. In 2017, another civilian was killed after Indian forces reportedly used mortars and automatic weapons.

Tensions escalated further in 2018, when several members of a family were killed in firing near Sialkot, while a wider confrontation resulted in additional civilian casualties. In 2019, a 10-year-old boy was killed and several civilians were critically injured.

Further incidents were reported in 2020 and 2021, leaving civilians injured in different border sectors. Although Pakistan and India reaffirmed their ceasefire in February 2021, fresh incidents were reported in 2023, resulting in civilian deaths and injuries.