The Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Asif Ghafoor categorically denied that the army had initiated cross-border fire and the bodies of Pakistani soldiers had been found by Indian troops in held Kashmir.
Earlier in the day, the Indian army claimed it had “successfully foiled” a “border action team (BAT) operation by the Pakistan army” in the Keran sector, according to Times of India.
“Five to seven … Pakistan Army [men] were killed in the unsuccessful BAT operation that began on the night of July 31,” according to the report. The Indian report claimed that four bodies were lying inside the occupied territory.
The ISPR, however dismissed this as mere propaganda meant to deflect from the Indian regime’s atrocities in occupied Kashmir.
He also condemned the use of cluster munitions by the Indian Army along the Line of Control (LoC) targeting the civilian population.
His remarks came after two civilians were martyred and 11 injured along the LoC. The attack took place on the night of July 30/31.
He further stated that “no weapon can suppress the determination of Kashmiris to get their right to self-determination”.Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi condemned the civilian casualties and the human rights violations along the LoC. He urged that world leaders intervene in the ongoing situation in the Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK).
The Foreign office also rejected “Indian allegations of cross-LoC action by Pakistan and possession of bodies”.
Prominent politicians including Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leader Ahsan Iqbal condemned the ongoing brutality by in the occupied valley.
Iqbal, taking to social media, urged the international community to take notice of the matter.
Pakistan condemned Indian forces for using cluster munitions on civilian population along the Line of Control in violation of international humanitarian laws and the Geneva Convention.
“Indian army on the night of 30th/31ist July targeted innocent citizens, including women and children, in Neelum Valley through artillery using cluster ammunition,” read a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations. “Resultantly, two civilians, including a four-year-old boy, were martyred while 11 got critically injured.”
The Pakistan military’s media wing pointed out that because of their severe impact on non-combatants, the use of cluster munitions is prohibited under the Convention on Cluster Munitions. “This blatant Indian aggression against all international norms exposes true character of Indian army and their moral standing,” it said.
“It’s time for international community to take notice of this Indian blatant violation of international laws on use of cluster ammunition targeting innocent citizens,” the statement added.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office Spokesperson Dr Muhammad Faisal also condemned the use of cluster munitions along the LoC and deliberate targeting of civilians by India. In a tweet, he termed it a blatant violation of the Convention on Cluster Munitions and international humanitarian laws.
“The international community should take notice of the Indian actions which are violation of international laws,” he urged.
According to figures, India has committed 1,876 ceasefire violations so far this year, martyring 19 civilians and injuring at least 148 more. Six civilians have been martyred in Indian aggression over the last two weeks alone.Indiscriminate destruction
Cluster munitions are explosive weapons that eject and disperse several smaller sub-munitions or bomblets. The weapons, according to former military officers and defence analysts, are designed to kill personnel and destroy vehicles over a large area.
“Basically, cluster munitions are used in an anti-personnel role,” said Maj Gen (retd) Inamul Haq. “They are used to eliminate enemy forces over a certain area instead of destroying single structures.”
Because of this anti-personnel role, Inam characterised cluster munitions as immensely cruel weapons. “The use of cluster munitions is governed by certain United Nations protocols that their signatories respect,” he pointed out. “This means that these weapons are generally avoided and used only after certain preconditions are met.”
“In particular, I would like to emphasise that there can be no justification for their use on civilians,” he stressed. “That India is targeting innocent civilians with cluster munitions is morally reprehensible and a violation of both the rules of war and basic human rights.”
Defence analyst Imtiaz Gul agreed. “The use of any kind of force against innocent unarmed civilians is a huge transgression. It is completely abhorrent, both legally and morally,” he said. “But to use cluster munitions on areas with a civilian population is even more criminal.”
“Cluster munitions cause much greater damage than regular ordnance,” Gul explained. “They have the potential to kill more, to maim more, and they have the capability to remain a hazard longer. As such, their destructive effect is longer lasting.”
This residual threat that cluster munitions leave behind was witnessed in Afghanistan, Inam said. “The Soviets made heavy use of these weapons when they invaded Afghanistan. Children in particular were vulnerable to cluster munitions remnants as they mistook them for toys.”
