Pakistan summons Indian diplomat over deaths of two Pakistanis at border
Photo: Reuters
Pakistan has summoned an Indian diplomat over the deaths of two Pakistani nationals along the international border. Islamabad alleges that the two men were killed by Indian Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in the Bedian sector of Punjab on Friday. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said another person was injured in the incident.
In a statement Saturday, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry accused the BSF of using "unprovoked and lethal force" against unarmed civilians.
It described the incident as "wholly unjustified and grossly disproportionate." There was no immediate statement from the Indian government on the incident.
Indian media, citing security sources, reported that the men were attempting to cross into India through the border. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry, however, rejected any attempt to describe the deceased as "infiltrators."
Islamabad also called for an immediate, transparent and credible investigation into the incident. It urged India to take legal and disciplinary action against those found responsible and to communicate the findings of the investigation to Pakistan.
Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained by a series of conflicts and disputes over the past year and a half, including a dispute over water sharing.
On April 22, 2025, 26 people were killed in a gun attack in Pahalgam in Indian-administered Kashmir. New Delhi accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack, a charge Islamabad denied. Following the attack, India suspended its participation in the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty.
The treaty establishes a framework for the management of the waters of the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej rivers. Pakistan has opposed India's decision to suspend the treaty, saying that any attempt to restrict the flow of river water would pose a serious threat to its water security.
Relations between the two countries deteriorated rapidly following the Pahalgam attack. In May, India launched strikes at several locations in Pakistan-administered Kashmir under what it called "Operation Sindoor." The two countries then engaged in several days of intense military hostilities before agreeing to a ceasefire on May 10.
Disputes over water, Kashmir and border security have continued since then. The deaths of the two Pakistanis in the Bedian sector occurred amid those tensions.
However, India and Pakistan have given clearly different accounts of Friday's incident, including over whether the two men were attempting to cross the border.
Source: Al Jazeera and Reuters.
