Et Report
Poonch, Sept 27: In yet another ceasefire violation, 19th time in September, Pakistan Army allegedly resorted to unprovoked firing on Indian forward posts along the Line of Control in Poonch district.
Defence Spokesman SN Acharya said that Army effectively retaliated. He said that Pakistan troops opened fire from small and automatic weapons on Indian forward posts along the LoC in Balakote Sub-sector of Tehsil Mendhar in Poonch district at around 2040 hours on Wednesday night. "Pakistani forces opened heavy fire on forward posts 467 and 638 in Sanji area of Line of Control (LOC). Indian troops hit back, triggering an exchange of fire which went on till late in the night," the spokesman said adding there were no reports of loss of life or injury to anyone. He informed that this was 19th ceasefire violation along the LoC in September this year.
According to reports, the two sides exchanged fire till 12 in the night. Though no loss of life was reported from either side, sources said that Army used illumination bombs to check any kind of infiltration during the ceasefire violation. After night long exchange of fire, the two sides maintained complete calm throughout the day. Army claimed that Pakistan has so far violated ceasefire more than 120 times up to September 25. Latest ceasefire violation comes days ahead of the expected meeting between the prime ministers of India and Pakistan in New York. India has been accusing Pakistan of violating the bilateral ceasefire agreement, which was signed by the two nuclear powered South Asian neighbours in November 2003. According to Army, Of the 120 incidents of firing from across the border, 98 ceasefire violations have taken place in Jammu region along LoC in South of Pir Panchal ranges while others have taken place along the border in Kashmir, he said. The ceasefire violations are highest this year than the past five years. There were 93 violations of the 2003 ceasefire by Pakistan along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in 2012, 51 in 2011 and on 44 occasions in 2010, according to the Defence Ministry. In 2009 the Pakistani troops violated ceasefire 28 times, while on 77 occasions in 2008, 21 in 2007 and 3 in 2006. |
