Diplomatic tension has increased between India and Pakistan over an incident of firing on the Punjab border. After the death of two people near the international border on October 2, both countries summoned each other’s diplomats and lodged a strong protest over the incident. India says that three people entered Indian territory from Pakistan’s side and continued moving towards the border despite repeated warnings. At the same time, Pakistan has described the dead as unarmed civilians and said that they had crossed the border unknowingly.
The next day of the incident, i.e. on 3 October, India summoned Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires and lodged a protest over the alleged infiltration from across the border. On the other hand, Pakistan also called the Indian Chargé d’Affaires and expressed protest over the death of two people and demanded a transparent investigation into the matter.
What happened on Punjab border on 2nd October?
This incident came to light along the international border area related to Fazilka-Firozpur area of Punjab. According to Indian officials, three suspicious people were moving towards Indian territory from Pakistan. One of these persons returned back to Pakistan, while the other two continued moving ahead.
According to the Indian side, BSF soldiers warned both of them to stop and return. Officials claim that despite warnings, both of them continued moving towards Indian territory, after which BSF opened fire and both of them died. After the incident, senior BSF officers visited the spot and the process related to identification of the deceased was started.
What does India have to say?
According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, three people entered Indian territory and continued towards the border. India says that they were warned by BSF to return, but they continued moving forward. MEA said that in such a situation, BSF had to take action in view of the security threat. India has also linked this incident to the broader context of alleged illegal cross-border activities by Pakistan. India has asked Pakistan to check activities related to cross-border infiltration and drug smuggling and take effective steps to stop unauthorized movement from its side.
Why did Pakistan reject India’s claim?
Pakistan did not accept India’s contention that the two killed were infiltrators. According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, both were unarmed civilians and had accidentally crossed the international border. Pakistan alleged that the BSF used deadly force on unarmed civilians and called it an unjustified and disproportionate action. Pakistan also rejected the description of the dead as ‘infiltrators’. Pakistan has demanded from India to conduct an immediate, transparent and credible investigation into the incident and to inform the Pakistani government about the findings of the investigation and the action taken.
According to Pakistan, how did the three people reach near the border?
According to details emerging from the Pakistani side, three local people had gone near the border and allegedly went some distance ahead of the border pillar. Pakistan’s government reporting said that the three did not have weapons and had not tried to cross the border fence. It was also said in this claim that two people died and one person was injured in the firing. However, this is Pakistan’s side and India has presented this incident differently.
Why did India summon Pakistan’s diplomat?
After Pakistan summoned the Indian Chargé d’Affaires, India also summoned Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires on 3 October. India rejected the allegations made by Pakistan regarding the incident and lodged a strong protest against the alleged infiltration from across the border. The Indian Foreign Ministry described Pakistan’s allegations as ‘baseless and motivated’. It was also said from the Indian side that Pakistan should effectively control the unauthorized movement from its side.
When did Pakistan summon the Indian diplomat?
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Indian Chargé d’Affaires on 3 October. Pakistan said that it has registered its strong protest over the death of two Pakistani citizens in the October 2 incident. Pakistan also appealed to India to follow border procedures and bilateral arrangements and exercise maximum restraint to prevent such incidents in future.
Why are the claims of the two countries completely different?
The most important thing in this whole matter is that India and Pakistan are describing the nature of the incident in different ways. India’s claim – Three people entered Indian territory, did not return despite warnings and two people were killed in BSF action. Pakistan’s claim – Three local and unarmed civilians had mistakenly gone beyond the border and BSF opened fire on them without proper warning. Therefore, at present there is a clear difference of opinion between the official statements of both the countries regarding the incident. Without independent investigation or available additional evidence, it would not be appropriate to present either claim as final fact.
The issue of cross border infiltration and drug smuggling also came up
India did not view this incident as merely an isolated incident of cross-border movement. According to the MEA, the alleged role of armed narcotics syndicates in cross-border illegal activities is also a concern. India has asked Pakistan to investigate such networks and cross-border drug smuggling. India also said that Pakistan should take effective steps to stop unauthorized movement through its border security system.
How long is Punjab’s border with Pakistan?
Punjab is an important state bordering the India-Pakistan international border. It has about 553 km long border with Pakistan. Security in the border area, illegal infiltration and drug smuggling activities have been a constant matter of concern for the security agencies. For this reason, BSF and other security agencies remain extremely alert regarding any suspicious movement on the border.
Now what is the diplomatic impact of this incident?
After the incident of October 2, the summoning of each other’s diplomats by both the countries on October 3 shows that the matter is not limited only to the firing on the border. Both countries have put forward their official positions and rejected the claims of the other side. Pakistan has demanded investigation and action, while India has asked Pakistan to take steps to stop alleged cross-border infiltration and smuggling. At present, the official claims of India and Pakistan regarding this incident are different. The picture of the incident can become clearer only through any further investigation, reports of security agencies or official talks between the two countries.