UN confirms observers' vehicle damaged near LoC, says probing incident

• UN confirms that a vehicle was hit by an "unidentified object"
• “The Mission is currently investigating the incident," says UN
• ISPR says Indian troops targeted the UN observers' vehicle

The United Nations has confirmed that a vehicle of the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) was hit by an “unidentified object” near Rawalakot and that it was investigating the matter. 

“The Mission is currently investigating the incident,” Deputy Spokesman Farhan Haq said in response to a question from APP at the regular briefing in New York.

Haq said that the the incident occurred when UNMOGIP observers were conducting routine monitoring activities near Rawalakot.

Read more: Indian troops deliberately target UN vehicle in Chirikot sector

“UNMOGIP personnel and the driver were not harmed but the vehicle sustained some damage,” the spokesman said.

The Indian Army, a day earlier, resorted to unprovoked aggression at the Line of Control (LoC) by targeting a United Nations Military Observers vehicle, according to the Inter-Services Public Relation (ISPR). 

The ISPR said that two military observers were on-board the vehicle which was damaged in the attack. Both observers were rescued and safely evacuated to Rawalakot. 

The UN vehicle, according to the military's media wing, was on its way to meet Indian ceasefire violations' victims at the Polas Village in the Chirikot sector.

Read more: India preparing to launch a surgical strike against Pakistan

Slamming India for targeting innocent civilians and UN peacekeepers across the border, Pakistan condemned the Indian Army for its naked aggression.

"It must be noted that The UN vehicles are clearly recognisable even from long distances due to their distinct make and type and clearly visible markings," said the ISPR.

"Such illegal and unlawful acts, against all established international norms, signify mal-intent of Indian Army to target not only innocent civilians residing along the Line of Control but UN Peace Keepers as well," it added.

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Pakistan Army said it stands in solidarity with UNMOGIP officials and appreciates "the selfless services rendered by all members of UNMOGIP in discharge of their UN mandated duties." 

'Surgical strike against Pakistan'

The incident was reported while Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, in Abu Dhabi, told a press conference that he had received information "through our intelligence agencies" that India was preparing to launch a surgical strike against Pakistan and fanning a new wave of terrorism.

Terming the situation as sensitive, he said Pakistan was fully aware of India's conspiracies and vowed that Islamabad would respond befittingly should New Delhi initiate military action.

FM Qureshi said that India was "trying to seek tacit approval" from "important players who they consider to be their partners".

The foreign minister said that this misadventure, in Pakistan's opinion, was being done to divert attention from serious issues. "To begin with: The situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir."

FM Qureshi said that the situation was minimal, but now it has deteriorated further, and because of the current Indian regime's policies, there is a country-wide protest of farmers.

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"The mishandling of the coronavirus by Indian authorities is known to everyone and the impact that it is having on their economy is known to all of you," he said.

The farmers' protest is growing as Opposition parties, civil society, and trade unions have expressed their support for them, he said, adding that the minorities were "uncomfortable in India."

"The citizenship act, the protests that you see in Assam because of NRC. They have not gone away. The Sikhs, Dalits, and Muslims are very disturbed," he said.

Keeping these points in mind, the foreign minister said that in India's opinion, it was a good way to unify a "divided nation".