Pakistan Summons Indian Chargé d’Affaires Over Killing of Two Civilians in BSF Firing

Pakistan summoned the Indian Chargé d’Affaires to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and lodged a strong protest over the killing of two Pakistani civilians in firing by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in the Bedian Sector, the Foreign Office said.

According to the Foreign Office, two Pakistani civilians were killed after Indian BSF personnel opened fire on them in the Bedian Sector.

Pakistan termed the firing on unarmed civilians “unjustified” and rejected the Indian attempt to portray the deceased Pakistani citizens as “infiltrators.”

The Foreign Office said the incident constituted a serious violation of fundamental human rights, including the right to life.

Pakistan demanded that India conduct an immediate, transparent and credible investigation into the firing and take legal and departmental action against the personnel responsible.

In a démarche handed over to the Indian Chargé d’Affaires, Pakistan also demanded that New Delhi inform Islamabad about the findings of the investigation and the action taken against those responsible.

The Foreign Office called on India to ensure respect for fundamental human rights and international law and exercise maximum restraint in handling matters along the border.

Earlier, According to security sources, the three local Pakistani civilians, belonging to Lidhar village, had barely taken a few steps ahead of the border pillar when BSF personnel targeted them without any warning.

As a result of the unprovoked firing, two civilians were martyred while another was injured. Security sources said all three individuals were unarmed and none had attempted to cross the border fence.

The deceased were identified as Azmat Rasul, son of Attaullah, and Mohsin Jatt, both residents of Jattan Wali Haveli, Lidhar.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions and hostile rhetoric from the Indian media and armed forces over the past few days.

Earlier, Indian media and security forces claimed that four alleged Pakistani terrorists had been killed in Indian-occupied Kashmir. However, during a subsequent press briefing, Pakistan’s military spokesperson, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, rejected the Indian claims and presented before the media a former SSG commando whom Indian media had portrayed as one of those killed. The individual had retired from service in 2023 and was alive, exposing the false information circulated by Indian media.

Against this backdrop, defence analysts described the latest portrayal of the three unarmed Pakistani civilians as “infiltrators” as another false-flag attempt by the Indian side.

Security sources said the firing on civilians by Indian forces was an open violation of border protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).