The government has rejected Pakistan’s suggestion that the UN should be asked to probe allegations that Pakistani troops killed and beheaded two Indian soldiers in Jammu & Kashmir.
The issue figured at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) and the Union Cabinet,which was briefed by defence minister AK Antony on the incident in J&K?s Poonch sector on January eight and subsequent developments.
“That demand is rejected out of hand. We will not internationalise the issue nor go to the United Nations,” Finance Minister P Chidambaram told mediapersons after a meeting. Pakistan had on Wednesday said it was prepared to hold investigation through the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). UNMOGIP has presence on both sides of LoC.
Chidambaram said the cabinet committee on security was briefed about the Tuesday killings near the LoC. “Our report is that the Indian forces did not violate the ceasefire (in place in LoC since 203),” he said. The minister said troops on the border faced no shortages. “Whatever has to be done will be done.”
A day after India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan, according to National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon said that ceasefire violations by Pakistan increased during the past year. “There has been an increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan and in infiltration attempts in 2012 over 2011,” Menon said at a media briefing, adding that they have taken it up with Pakistani authorities.
