Pak also says disappointed at ceasefire violations along LoC

Pakistan also on Friday said it is "disappointed" that progress has not been made on ending ceasefire violations on the Line of Control, a day after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed disappointment with his counterpart Nawaz Sharif over the continuing transgressions.

Disputing allegations that Pakistan is indulging in unprovoked firing, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Chaudhry said, "We are also disappointed that progress has not been made despite the meeting of two prime ministers."

He alleged that while Prime Minister Sharif was in the United States, Indian troops targeted 27 Pakistani posts along the Line o Control and international border.

"Even the timing was so unfortunate. (It happened) when our Prime Minister was in US ready to meet American president," he said.

Chaudhry was responding to a question at his weekly news briefing about Singh's remarks on Thursday that he was disappointed with Sharif.

Singh had asked Sharif "even at this late hour" to recognise that what was happening on the LoC and international border is not good for the two countries.

Chaudhry said: "We have absolutely no interest in agitating at LoC. Why would we do that at a time when our PM is visiting the US? So we also believe that decision of the two prime ministers must be implemented very quickly. The military officers must meet."

Asked if he was hinting that India had deliberately increased tensions at the borders, he said, "It was an unprovoked firing on 27 of our posts which we feel is inappropriate.

"That is not to say in any way (we) detract from the wish and desire of our prime minister, who has repeatedly said he wants neighbourly relations with India.

"He wants to improve ties with India. But such things will also have to factored in and addressed by military officials (when they meet) so that the next phase of improving relations can begin. Our sincerity is very clear."

Asked about Pakistani troops' firing on Indian soldiers and civilians, he said, "Pakistani troops follow a policy of not indulging in firing first. They only retaliate when fired upon."

Replying to further questions, he said Pakistan has been very clear and the current leadership has made it very clear that it wants good neighbourly ties with India.

Image: A BSF jawan patrols along the Line of Control in Jammu

Photograph: Mukesh Gupta/Reuters