Only UN can find the truth, says Pakistani daily

There was "no better forum" than a UN observer group for this task, the Dawn said in an editorial.

New Delhi cannot bypass the UN Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) although it keeps referring to the 1972 Shimla pact to keep away third parties in India-Pakistan conflicts.

The Simla agreement, it said, aims to settle differences between India and Pakistan "by peaceful means through bilateral negotiations or by any other peaceful means mutually agreed upon".

The UNMOGIP's role was one of an observer to "monitor developments pertaining to the strict observance of the ceasefire of 17 Dec 1971", the day the last major India-Pakistan war ended, the daily said.

"Mercifully, the two governments have decided not to exacerbate matters," it said.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar said the border clashes should not be allowed to derail the India-Pakistan peace process.

"But that doesn't mean that the facts regarding these recent LoC (Line of Control) incidents should not be established," the daily said.

"If Pakistan and India cannot establish the truth themselves through cooperation and in an impartial manner, then there is no better forum than the UNMOGIP to do so," it said.

India has accused Pakistani troops of killing and beheading two Indian soldiers near the Jammu and Kashmir border. Pakistan says the Indian Army killed two of its soldiers.