The firing resulted in the martyrdom of Ayan Zahid, an 8 years old boy. Despite calls for restraint, it stated that India continues to indulge in ceasefire violations.
In 2018, the Indian forces have carried out more than 335 ceasefire violations along the Line of Control and Working Boundary, resulting in the martyrdom of 15 innocent civilians and injuries to 65 others, it added. "This unprecedented escalation in ceasefire violations by India is continuing from the year 2017 when the Indian forces committed more than 1970 ceasefire violations", it stated.
It further stated that deliberate targeting of civilian populated areas especially children is indeed deplorable and contrary to human dignity, international human rights and humanitarian laws.
Earlier, on 15th Feb, the Indian forces also deliberately targeted a school van leaving the children severely traumatized and martyring the driver. The ceasefire violations by India are a threat to regional peace and security and may lead to a strategic miscalculation.
The Director General urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire arrangement; investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations; instruct their forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit, and maintain peace on the LoC and the Working Boundary. He urged that the Indian side should permit UNMOGIP to play its mandated role as per the UN Security Council resolutions.