UN dismisses Pakistan claim that its observers fired at by Indians troops

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said on Wednesday that there was no evidence of an attack on UN Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP).

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had alleged that a vehicle carrying UNMOGIP Majors Emmanual of the Philippines and Mirko of Croatia came under attack from India while on a visit to the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistani-administered Kashmir.(Reuters File)

The United Nations has denied that its observers came under attack from the Indian Army along the Line of Control, refuting allegations made my Pakistan on Wednesday.

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesperson for Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told reporters on Wednesday that there was no evidence of an attack on UN Military Observers Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), according to news agency IANS.

Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had alleged that a vehicle carrying UNMOGIP Majors Emmanual of the Philippines and Mirko of Croatia came under attack from India while on a visit to the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistani-administered Kashmir.

“This afternoon in Bhimber District in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, UNMOGIP military observers accompanied by Pakistani army escorts heard gunshots,” Dujarric said. “There is no evidence that the UNMOGIP military observers were targeted by the gunfire.”

“No UN military observer was injured,” he added.

Pakistan’s ISPR had claimed in statement that: “Indian troops committed unprovoked ceasefire violation” and “targeted the UNMOGIP vehicle along LOC in Khanjar sector, despite the UNMOGIP’s blue flag being hoisted on the vehicle as per procedure.

It coincided with reports in Pakistani media that the country’s air force jets flew sorties close to the Siachen region in India.

India said no airspace violations had taken place.

Wednesday’s statements point to stronger posturing from across the border after a string of provocations that threaten fragile ties between the two countries.

India recently scored a significant diplomatic victory when the International Court of Justice ordered Pakistan to ensure Kulbhushan Jadhav is not executed till the time it hears out India’s appeal to it. New Delhi moved the world court accusing Pakistan of conducting a farcical trial against Jadhav, an Indian citizen.

The ruling triggered discomfort in Pakistan, with many there questioning the legal team’s tactics.

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