Et Report
Poonch, Aug 16 : Ceasefire violations continued along the Line of Control (LoC) on Friday, with heavy exchange of firing reported overnight from the Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir.Sources said Pakistani troops fired on Indian positions through the night leading to retaliation from the Indian Army bordering the LoC. Exchange of firing was reportedly still on at several places.Heavy firing from the Pakistani side of LoC had led to wounding of three jawans and a civilian last morning.Pakistan has violated ceasefire 11 times in the past one week, and is testing India's patience following the killing of five Indian troops along the LoC by Pakistani troops.According to Army officials, the strong response aims to convey "in no uncertain terms India's intention to protect its borders".Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on the occasion of India's 67th Independence Day, had issued a stern warning to Pakistan, conveying it must not allow its territory to be used for any anti-India activity if it wants ties to improve.The Pakistani troops had first opened firing along the LoC in Mendhar sector from 06:30 am yesterday. They then resorted to firing in Balakote belt of Poonch at around 7.30 am. Indian troops then retaliated using heavy calibre guns to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing from Pakistan, which used small arms and automatic weapons as well as resorted to mortar shelling. Under attack from opposition parties over government's response on the killing of five Indian soldiers, Defence Minister A K Antony had said the armed forces have the freedom to respond appropriately to a developing situation along the LoC. |
