Sharif concerned over incidents at LoC, says 'looking forward to meeting Manmohan Singh'

Asserting that it is imperative for both New Delhi and Islamabad to take effective steps to restore ceasefire at the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday said that he looks forward to meeting his Indian counterpart Dr. Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

Sharif, who summoned an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the fast growing tension with India over the exchange of fire along the Line of Control (LoC), expressed his concern over the incidents which resulted in flaring up of tensions between India and Pakistan.

The meeting also reportedly discussed foreign policy and external challenges faced by Pakistan.

"I am looking forward to meeting PM Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. I am prepared to discuss steps with India for further strengthening existing mechanisms at political and military levels," said Sharif.

"It's imperative for both India and Pakistan to take effective steps to restore ceasefire at the LoC," he added.

Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony told the Parliament earlier in the day that the specialist troops of Pakistan Army and a group from the Pakistan Occupied Kashmir side, which crossed the Line of Control, had killed the five Indian soldiers on Tuesday.

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Antony, who made a fresh statement in the Parliament, said nothing happens from Pakistan side of the Line of Control without support, assistance, facilitation and direct involvement of the Pakistan Army.

He said those in Pakistan who are responsible for the tragedy and brutal killing of two Indian soldiers earlier this year should not go unpunished.

Antony said Islamabad should also show determined action to dismantle the terrorist networks, organization and infrastructure

The Indian Defence Minister underlined that Tuesday's incident will have consequences on New Delhi's behaviour on the Line of Control and its relations with Islamabad.

"India's restraint should not be taken for granted, nor should the capacity of the Indian Armed Forces and the government's resolve to uphold the sanctity of the Line of Control ever be doubted," he said.

On Tuesday morning, Pakistan had intruded into Indian Territory and ambushed five Indian soldiers who were patrolling an area along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch District.