Army lodges protest with Pak counterpart over firing along LoC

Indian Army on Monday lodged a strong protest with its Pakistan counterpart over unprovoked firing from across the border on Indian posts along the Line of Control in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir which left a jawan critically injured.

"We have lodged a strong protest at a flag meeting with the Pakistan Army authorities over Sunday's cross-border firing and rocket attacks on Indian posts in Krishangati belt of Poonch sector," Brigadier General Staff, 16 Corps, Gurdeep Singh told PTI.

The Pakistani troops were asked to bring recurring ceasefire violations along the LoC and infiltration bids to a complete halt or else there will be firm retaliation, Brigadier Singh said.

The commander level flag meeting was held at Chakan Da Bagh LoC point in Poonch from 1430 hours to 1500 hours. The Indian Army was represented by Brigade Commander Bishan Singh of Krishnagati sub-sector at the meeting while the Pakistan Army was represented by Brig Nadeem, Brig Singh said .

One army jawan was critically injured as Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged heavy firing after Pak targeted six Indian forward posts by resorting to shelling and indiscriminate firing along the LoC in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.

Pakistan troops opened indiscriminate and heavy firing on 5-6 Indian Posts along LOC in Krishnagati sub-sector of Poonch district around 0905 hours. They also fired four mortar bombs and 20 rockets on Indian positions, the army officer said.

The Pak troops also used medium machines guns and fired over 20 mortar shells on the Indian positions.

This is for the first time since a ceasefire was reached between India and Pakistan on November 26, 2003 that Pakistani troops have fired mortars bombs on Indian posts. It was the fourth incident of ceasefire violation in Jammu and Kashmir this month.