2 Pakistanis killed by Indian border force gunfire

Pakistanis were killed and another injured on Friday by gunfire from India's Border Security Force near the international frontier dividing the two countries.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said that the Indian chargé d'affaires was summoned to lodge Pakistan's "strong protest" over the deadly incident.

The border personnel resorted to "unprovoked lethal force against unarmed civilians," the statement said, calling such a use of force "wholly unjustified and grossly disproportionate."

Citing security sources, public broadcaster Radio Pakistan earlier said the three residents of Kasur in the Punjab province came a few steps past a border pillar when BSF personnel opened fire on them without warning.

None of the three individuals had attempted to cross the border fence, the sources said, adding that all were unarmed.

The ministry urged the Indian side to carry out "an immediate, transparent and credible" investigation into the incident, "take appropriate disciplinary and legal action against those found responsible, and formally communicate the findings and action taken to the Government of Pakistan."

It also urged New Delhi to "strictly observe relevant bilateral arrangements and established border procedures," as well as "exercise maximum restraint in dealing with such situations, and take effective measures to prevent the recurrence of such incidents."

Local Indian media claimed the incident was an "infiltration" attempt that was foiled.

The Pakistani Foreign Ministry "categorically" rejected "any attempt to mischaracterize the deceased as 'infiltrators.'"

There was no immediate comment from the Indian side.