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)
