India rejects Pakistan claim of firing in Poonch sector of LoC

JAMMU/ISLAMABAD: The Indian Army today denied Pakistan's claim that its troops had resorted to unprovoked firing in Poonch sector of the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.

"There was no unprovoked firing from our side in Poonch sector along the LoC today," a defence spokesman said after Pakistan claimed a civilian was injured in firing by Indian forces in Tatta Pani belt of Poonch sector.

"The border with Pakistan is silent," the spokesman said. Earlier, a Pakistani military official in Islamabad said a civilian named Kaka Sana Muhammad was seriously wounded due to "unprovoked firing" across the LoC.

The man was taken to a military hospital at Kotli, the official said. The incident occurred at 8.30 am Pakistani time, he said.

On Tuesday, five Indian soldiers were killed by Pakistani troops who crossed the LoC, Defence Minister A K Antony said.

Yesterday, the Pakistani military said two of its soldiers were injured by Indian fire.

The Directors General of Military Operations of the two sides have spoken on their hotline after the flare-up and Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif today chaired a high-level meeting with civilian and military officials to review the tensions.

Bilateral relations have plummeted due to the tensions. The India-Pakistan dialogue process was put on hold after an Indian soldier was beheaded and the mutilated body of another soldier was found following an attack by Pakistani troops in Poonch sector on January 8.