PH cautions Filipinos near ‘LoC’ as India-Pakistan tensions rise

Photo courtesy: Philippine Embassy in Pakistan/FB

By Joyce Ann Rocamora | Philippine News Agency

Filipinos residing and working near the Line of Control (LoC) in Pakistan are urged to take “extreme caution” as tensions between Islamabad and New Delhi surge after gunmen opened fire on tourists in the Indian-controlled Kashmir.

The Philippine Embassy in Pakistan said Filipinos residing or working in Bhimber City, Azad Kashmir, and the Sialkot Line of Control sector should stay vigilant and avoid non-essential travel, particularly near border zones.

Pakistani authorities declared Red Alert due to the escalating security situation in said areas, the embassy said on Wednesday, April 30.

It then reminded Filipinos to monitor official announcements, maintain regular contact with their employers and community coordinators, and ensure that they are prepared in case of evacuation.

The LoC is the de facto boundary separating the Indian and Pakistani forces in Kashmir region.

Earlier, India accused Pakistan of supporting the assailants behind an attack that left 26 tourists dead at the Pahalgam town in the Indian-administered Kashmir region, dubbed as the deadliest attack on civilians in the territory in two decades.

The attack had prompted fears of Indian retaliation, with Pakistan’s information minister Attaullah Tarar saying that Islamabad has “credible intelligence” that India intends to carry out military action against Pakistan in the next 24-36 hours “on the pretext of baseless and concocted allegations of involvement”. (PNA)

Popular

MRT-3, LRT-2 logs highest post-pandemic riderships due to PBBM’s ‘Libreng Sakay’

By Brian Campued Over 1.2 million passengers benefitted from the government's “libreng sakay” program on Wednesday following President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.’s directive, according to...

PBBM honors laborers, assures them of further gov’t support

By Dean Aubrey Caratiquet In a Labor Day message on Thursday, May 1, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. honored Filipino workers whom he described as...

PH, New Zealand ink visiting forces deal to bolster defense ties

By Brian Campued The Philippines and New Zealand on Wednesday signed the treaty documents for the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement (SOVFA), which would enable...

All residents eligible for P20/kg rice on May 1 Cebu rollout — Palace

By Darryl John Esguerra | Philippine News Agency Everyone, regardless of income status, will be eligible to purchase rice at P20 per kilo on May...