India protests Pakistan ceasefire violation
India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over the latest incident of unprovoked firing and infiltration by Pakistani troops into Indian territory.
By ET Bureau |
NEW DELHI: India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over the latest incident of unprovoked firing and infiltration by Pakistani troops into Indian Territory even as details emerged that Pakistan had also violated Indian airspace between May and June.
The latest ceasefire violation, which brings up the tally of such violations to 19, evoked a strong reaction from the government, which is now struggling to keep the composite dialogue process going with Pakistan.
���Pakistan must fully respect the ceasefire agreed to between the two sides and adhere to the already existing mechanism��� to deal with border violations,��� said defence minister AK Antony in a statement. He further said that Pakistan should use the existing mechanism of local flag meetings and Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks to thrash out any issues.
���The increase in ceasefire violations and firings across the LoC is a matter of concern to India,��� he added.
A group of around 12 Pakistani soldiers infiltrated into the Nowgam sector of northern Kashmir on Monday afternoon and then opened fire on Indian positions. In the ensuing gunbattle one Indian and four Pakistani soldiers were killed. It continued over 14 hours, reportedly occurred after an argument broke out over an Indian surveillance post.
The Army, which considers this a very serious violation of the ceasefire, took up the matter at different levels. The two sides held battalion-level flag meeting at Nowgam and Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen A.S. Sekhon spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Maj Gen Nasir Janjua on the hotline. The Army further said that this is the first time since the Kargil operations that Pakistani soldiers have come across the LoC in this manner.
Apart from the growing number of ceasefire violations, details also emerged of the Pakistan Air Force violating Indian airspace on a number of occasions between May and June. ���As usual our operational readiness is in place. They man three or four places in western air command which stretches from Kashmir up to Rajasthan. This has been the norm throughout. But, we have not taken extra precautions because we know how these intrusions took place, and why they happened,��� Air Chief Marshal of India Fali Major was quoted as saying.
Predictably, Pakistan went into denial mode accusing Indian troops of unprovoked firing. ���No Pakistani soldier had crossed the LoC,��� a Pakistan military spokesman said.
The latest ceasefire violation, which brings up the tally of such violations to 19, evoked a strong reaction from the government, which is now struggling to keep the composite dialogue process going with Pakistan.
���Pakistan must fully respect the ceasefire agreed to between the two sides and adhere to the already existing mechanism��� to deal with border violations,��� said defence minister AK Antony in a statement. He further said that Pakistan should use the existing mechanism of local flag meetings and Director General of Military Operations (DGMO)-level talks to thrash out any issues.
���The increase in ceasefire violations and firings across the LoC is a matter of concern to India,��� he added.
A group of around 12 Pakistani soldiers infiltrated into the Nowgam sector of northern Kashmir on Monday afternoon and then opened fire on Indian positions. In the ensuing gunbattle one Indian and four Pakistani soldiers were killed. It continued over 14 hours, reportedly occurred after an argument broke out over an Indian surveillance post.
The Army, which considers this a very serious violation of the ceasefire, took up the matter at different levels. The two sides held battalion-level flag meeting at Nowgam and Director General of Military Operations Lt Gen A.S. Sekhon spoke to his Pakistani counterpart Maj Gen Nasir Janjua on the hotline. The Army further said that this is the first time since the Kargil operations that Pakistani soldiers have come across the LoC in this manner.
ADVERTISEMENT
Apart from the growing number of ceasefire violations, details also emerged of the Pakistan Air Force violating Indian airspace on a number of occasions between May and June. ���As usual our operational readiness is in place. They man three or four places in western air command which stretches from Kashmir up to Rajasthan. This has been the norm throughout. But, we have not taken extra precautions because we know how these intrusions took place, and why they happened,��� Air Chief Marshal of India Fali Major was quoted as saying.
Predictably, Pakistan went into denial mode accusing Indian troops of unprovoked firing. ���No Pakistani soldier had crossed the LoC,��� a Pakistan military spokesman said.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
The Economic Times Business News App for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
The Economic Times News App for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
ADVERTISEMENT
