Pakistani troops violate LoC ceasefire again

Pakistani troops Saturday again violated the bilateral ceasefire on the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu region, according to a defence spokesperson.

He said Pakistan army opened fire “at our positions using small arms and automatics this morning,” adding, “effective retaliation by own troops with similar calibre weapons. No casualty on own side.”

The two sides have been exchanging fire along the LoC and on international border ever since five Indian army soldiers were killed by the Pakistani troops two weeks ago in the same sector.

The firing exchanges have led to heightened tension between the two neighbouring countries and triggered fear among the border residents.

This the longest spell of unbroken ceasefire violations on the LoC and international border since the two countries agreed to a bilateral ceasefire in November 2003.

Commenting on the un-interrupted ceasefire violations, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the violations along the border were detrimental to the confidence building between the two countries.

He stressed the need for restoring calm on the borders.

Image: BSF troops patrol along the fenced Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir

Photograph: Mukesh Gupta/Reuters