Pakistan Accuses India of Escalating LoC TensionPakistan Thursday accused India of escalating tension on the Line of Control (LoC), which divides the two neighbors in the disputed Kashmir region and urged New Delhi to show restraint and defuse tension.Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman Riaz Mohammad Khan told a press briefing here that Pakistan has lodged strong protest against escalation of tension along the LoC, which has resulted in killing of innocent civilians. Scores of people were also injured because of a number of incidents of shelling from the Indian side, he said. The spokesman said Pakistan has always exercised restraint on the LoC. "There have been violations and escalation on the part of India." During the past weeks, there were frequent reports about shelling and military conflicts on the LoC between Pakistan and India. Khan said Pakistan believes that tension should be de-escalated along the LoC and India should show restraint and sense of responsibility to the world community's concern."It is not only the responsibility of Pakistan but also of India to reduce tension." Asked about the refusal of India to receive the dead body of an Indian soldier after it was alleged that the body was mutilated, Khan said, "Absolutely no question of any mutilation arises. These are tendentious allegations. We reject them. It is the obligation of the Indian side to receive the body." He said Indian soldiers crossed the LoC and attacked a Pakistani post on the night between August 23 and 24. "Pakistani soldiers retaliated and Indian soldiers were killed and they left a large quantity of ammunition and equipment." |
| People's Daily Online --- http://www.peopledaily.com.cn/english/ |