J-K: Pakistani troops violate ceasefire by firing on Indian positions along LoC

According to a PTI report, Pakistan on November 13 indulged in heavy cross-border shelling along the Line of Control. Four Indian Army personnel, a BSF sub-inspector and six civilians were killed while four security forces personnel and eight civilians were injured in the firing by Pakistan during the multiple ceasefire violations between Gurez and Uri sectors in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said Pakistan used mortars and other weapons and deliberately targeted civilian areas. "Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violations along the LoC spread across multiple sectors to include Dawar, Keran, Uri and Naugam," he said.

Heavy exchange of fire was going on when the last reports last came in from Sawjian, officials said, adding it was the third day in a row that Pakistani troops were targeting Shahpur, Qasba and Kirni sectors of Poonch. Earlier, Col Kalia said the Army foiled an infiltration bid, which was aided by the ceasefire violation, along the LoC in the Keran sector. This was the second infiltration attempt within a week. The earlier unsuccessful bid in the Machil sector during the intervening night of November 7- 8 was foiled in which three militants were killed. (Representative Image)

At least eight Pakistani soldiers were killed and 12 others injured after Indian Army pounded several of their positions along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir with anti-tank guided missiles and artillery guns in response to unprovoked ceasefire violations in multiple locations by troops of the neighbouring country, military sources said.

According to official data, Pakistan has resorted to 4,052 incidents of ceasefire violations in the current year as against 3,233 in 2019. Notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic in the region, Pakistan has been resorting to unprovoked ceasefire violations along the LoC and making concerted efforts to push militants into Kashmir.

Pakistani hostilities increased after India announced its decision to withdraw the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and divide the state into two union territories in August last year.

India on November 14 summoned the Charged Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission and lodged a strong protest with him over the unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistani forces on multiple sectors along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir targeting innocent civilians on the eve of Diwali. The MEA also reminded Pakistan of its bilateral commitment to not allow any territory under its control to be used for terrorism against India in any manner.