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| Respect ceasefire, Pranab tells Pak | | | Tehran | July 29
Amidst Pakistan’s breach of LoC ceasefire and reports of its aircraft violating Indian airspace thrice this year, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukharjee has reacted sharply, warning Pakistan of maintaining “peace and tranquillity on the border.” Mukherjee, who is on a two-day visit to Tehran to attend the 15th Ministerial Conference of the NAM countries, has said “Pak should respect the ceasefire agreement with India.”
“The composite dialogue between the two countries should be allowed to continue,” he said adding, “India’s chief concern is peace across the border and I will appeal to Pakistan to stick to ceasefire and do not violate it at any cost”
A Pakistan Army spokesperson however has denied any intrusion by the Pak forces into Indian territory. But TV reports indicate that the Air Force has confirmed the violation of Indian air space on three occasions in May and June. As a result, the Air Force is maintaining operational readiness.
Meanwhile, the cross border firing between Indian and Pakistani troops across the Line of Control stopped in the afternoon on Tuesday after continuing for 16 hours. The flag meeting between the sector commanders of India and Pakistan convened in the Teetwal sector concluded and the neighbouring troops returned to their respective sides.
The meeting was convened to sort out issues in view of the tension caused due to heavy firing along the LoC in Jammu and Kasmir.
In a clear violation of the ceasefire, at least 15 Pakistani soldiers crossed Line of Control (LoC) on Monday and opened fire on Indian positions in Nowgaon sector of Kupwara district in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the Army sources, the incident took place at around 3:30 pm yesterday. The Indian troops monitoring the border objected to the intruding Pakistani soldiers, who retreated and opened indiscriminate firing on the Indian side.
Army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel A K Mathur has confirmed violation along the LoC, shortly after the report of transgression.
In the cross border shelling, one Indian Army solider, identified as Mahesh, was killed. The body of the slain Indian soldier, who belonged to 22nd Rajput battalion, fell into a deep gorge. Indian armed forces have recovered the body of Mahesh, who was hit by a Pakistani bullet.
The soldier’s death infuriated the Indian troops manning the border and they retaliated the heavy firing with small firearms.
The Army sources claimed that at least four Pakistani soldiers were killed in the cross border shelling. However, the Pakistani side denied any deaths of its soldiers.
The Director General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both sides spoke over phone and discussed the situation.
Earlier, Pakistani Army had asked for Indian Observation post to be vacated.
This is the first violation of ceasefire between the two neighbouring states. Violations had been reported in Tangdhar, Poonch and Rajouri sectors of the state earlier this year.
Both the sides have agreed to a ceasefire along the international border and LoC in 2003. |
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