| 2023 India-Pakistan border skirmishes | |
| Location: | Sattwal, Poonch, Azad Kashmir |
| Date: | 24 June 2023 |
| Partof: | the Kashmir Conflict |
| Target: | Pakistani shepherds |
| Type: | Shooting |
| Fatalities: | 2 killed, 1 critically injured |
On 24 June 2023, Indian soldiers fired across the line of control (LoC) in the Sattwal sector of Azad Kashmir at a group of Pakistani Kashmiri shepherds from Tatrinote. Two Pakistani Kashmiris were killed and one critically injured as a result of this incident.[1] [2]
It was the first instance of the February 2021 LoC truce being violated. [3] [4]
Three casualties were reported by the ISPR; Obaid Qayyum (22), Muhammad Qasim (55), and a third individual who has not been identified yet. They were residents of Tatrinote Village near Hajira.[5] [6] Initially, one shepherd was reported killed while the other two were critically injured but one of the wounded shepherds later succumbed to his injuries.[6]
After the shootings, Pakistan publicly condemned the killings and summoned the Indian Chargé d'affaires to lodge a protest in which it demanded the Indian government to open an investigation and respect the ceasefire to maintain peace on the LoC. Moreover, the Pakistan Armed Forces also stated "While a strong protest is being launched with the Indian side, Pakistan reserves the right to respond back in manner of its choosing to protect Kashmiri lives in the LOC belt" warning the Indian side of a retaliation if the need arises.[5] [7]
The Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir; Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, also condemned the killings terming India's belligerence as "the biggest threat to peace and stability in the region" and appealed for international intervention by the United Nations and the Security Council.[8]