ISLAMABAD – Pakistan on Saturday summoned India’s Charge d’Affaires to lodge a strong protest over the deaths of two Pakistani civilians in the Bedian Sector along the international border, the Foreign Office said.
The Foreign Office said the two civilians were killed on Friday after personnel of India’s Border Security Force (BSF) allegedly opened fire on them.
Pakistan condemned what it described as the use of lethal force against unarmed civilians, calling the action unjustified and disproportionate.
The Foreign Office said Pakistan had formally conveyed its protest to the Indian diplomat over the incident.
It also rejected any attempt to portray the two deceased Pakistani citizens as infiltrators, maintaining that they were civilians.
The latest incident has added to tensions along the Pakistan-India border, where the two sides have previously exchanged allegations over cross-border incidents.
Pakistan has repeatedly called for disputes and incidents along the international border to be addressed through established mechanisms and in accordance with international law.
The Foreign Office said Islamabad expected the Indian side to exercise restraint and respect the safety of civilians living in border areas.
The development comes amid heightened sensitivity between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, with border-related incidents often prompting diplomatic protests from either side.
