India summons Pak diplomats, says two killed at Punjab border were infiltrators

India has summoned Pakistan's Charg d’Affaires and lodged a strong protest over what New Delhi described as continued cross-border infiltration from Pakistan, a day after two men were killed by the Border Security Force along the Punjab border. Pakistan, however, maintains that the two were unarmed civilians who had inadvertently crossed the International Border.

The Ministry of External Affairs said on Saturday that the Pakistani diplomat was summoned over the October 2 incident in the Ferozepur sector of Punjab. India also rejected what it called “baseless and motivated allegations” made by Pakistan over the incident.

The diplomatic exchange came after Pakistan summoned India's Charg d’Affaires earlier today and lodged what it called a “strong protest” over the deaths. Islamabad said the two men were civilians and rejected India's description of



them as infiltrators.

According to the Indian account, three people crossed into Indian territory and continued moving towards the border fence despite repeated warnings from the BSF to return to Pakistan.

The MEA said the BSF was “compelled to engage them” after they posed an imminent security threat. India said the incident was part of a pattern involving cross-border movement by armed narcotics syndicates operating from Pakistan.

The government urged Pakistan to investigate cross-border infiltration and drug smuggling activities, as well as what India described as the complicity of Pakistani border forces.

India also called on Pakistan to respect the sanctity of the International Border, observe relevant bilateral arrangements and ensure that its forces prevent unauthorised movement from its side.