UN observer group to probe LoC violence
10 January 2013
WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD, 10 JAN: The UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) has received an official complaint from Pakistans army and will conduct a probe into the ceasefire violations on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, a UN spokesman said.
"Regarding the 6 January alleged incident, the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan, or UNMOGIP, has received an official complaint from the Pakistan army and will conduct an investigation as soon as possible in accordance with its mandate," Mr Martin Nesirky, spokesman for Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, was quoted as saying at a Press briefing.
Pakistan has accused Indian troops of killing one of its soldiers while Indian officials charged Pakistani troops with sneaking into Jammu and Kashmir's Mendhar sector, and killing two Indian soldiers, and mutilating their bodies.
On the second "alleged incident" that occurred on 8 January, "no official complaint has been received either from the Pakistan army or Indian Army", Mr Nesirky said. "UNMOGIP is aware that the Pakistan army and Indian army are in contact via the hotline and urges both sides to respect the ceasefire and de-escalate tensions through dialogue," he said.
Pakistan, meanwhile, hoped that the ceasefire violations would not be a setback to or derail the peace process with India. You asked whether this will set back or derail the (peace) process. I will hope not and I (do not) see it derailing or setting back the process, Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said during a news conference at the Foreign Office this afternoon.
I hope both the countries will show their commitment to correct (the situation) as we are showing our commitment to correct, she said in response to a flurry of questions about two clashes along the LoC. The situation had deteriorated because of some unnecessary statements and unnecessary atmospherics which were created, she said.
Ms Khar iterated Pakistan's offer to have the clashes investigated by the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan. India has outrightly rejected this offer.
Yesterday, Pakistan denied its troops crossed into Jammu and Kashmir and killed two Indian soldiers but said it was ready to investigate India's claim. "Pakistan strongly rejects the Indian allegation of an attack across the Line of Control (LoC) on its military patrol in which two Indian soldiers were claimed to have been killed. These are baseless and unfounded allegations," the Pakistani foreign ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said Pakistan was prepared to launch an investigation through the UNMOGIP on the ceasefire violations. The director-general of military operations of the Pakistani army yesterday spoke to his Indian counterpart over the telephone and rejected New Delhi's claim.
Concerned over the rise in tension between India and Pakistan over the brutal killing of two Indian soldiers, the USA said it has been counselling both governments to de-escalate the situation and has instructed its envoys there to work in this direction.
