India summons Pakistan envoy over killing of five civilians in Poonch firing

India on Monday summoned Pakistan Deputy High Commissioner Syed Haider Shah and lodged strong protest over the killing of five civilians in ceasefire violations by the Pakistani forces.

Terming the incident “highly deplorable”, the External Affairs Ministry told Shah that such heinous acts are against the humanity and professional military conduct.

"It was conveyed that the deliberate targeting of innocent civilians, who are located two kilometers away from the forward line of defences, by Pakistan forces using high caliber weapons, is highly deplorable and is condemned in the strongest terms," the ministry said.

On Sunday, five civilians, including a couple and their three children were killed while two minors injured in unprovoked firing by Pakistan forces in Bhimber Gali Sector across the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistan was also asked to end the support being given to cross border infiltration of terrorists by giving them cover fire.

So far in 2018, 23 civilians have been killed in over 560 incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistan forces along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.