India retaliated strongy to the Pakistani offensive on Friday. (File)
India on Saturday summoned the Charge d'Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission to register a strong protest over the heavy shelling by Pakistani forces on multiple sectors along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday that left at least nine people dead.
In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India also condemned, in the strongest terms, the "deliberate targeting" of innocent civilians by Pakistani forces, saying it was highly deplorable that Pakistan chose a festive occasion in India to disrupt peace and perpetrate violence in Jammu and Kashmir through coordinated firing along the LoC.
"The Charge d'Affaires of the High Commission of Pakistan was summoned by the Ministry of External Affairs today and a strong protest was lodged over unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces, on multiple sectors along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir on November 13, resulting in the death of four innocent civilians and serious injuries to 19 others," the MEA said.
Apart from the civilians, five security personnel were killed in the Pakistani offensive.
"India also strongly protested Pakistan's continued support to cross border terrorist infiltration into India, including through supporting cover fire provided by Pakistan forces," the MEA said.
"Pakistan was once again reminded of its bilateral commitment to not allow any territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India in any manner," it said.
Indian forces strongly retaliated to the shelling on Friday and army sources said there have been multiple casualties on the Pakistani side.
Around 6-7 Pakistan army soldiers, including two SSG (Special Service Group) commandos, have been killed and 10-12 injured, army sources said.
Several Pakistani army bunkers, fuel dumps and launchpads have been destroyed and set on fire, they added. Videos released by the army showed the targets being destroyed.