New Delhi: The Pakistan army had again violated the ceasefire at Line of Control (LoC) on Friday on the eve of Eid. Report claimed that Pakistani troops opened fire on several posts of the Indian army in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir around midnight, forcing the Indian side to retaliate. A Defence spokesperson told, “Pakistan fired over 7000 rounds of heavy ammunition besides mortar shells on Indian posts during the seven-and-a-half-hour firing in Poonch.” Heavy exchange of fire continued for more then seven hours, however, no causalities were reported.
Meanwhile heavy exchange of fire between was reported from the Uri sector of Kashmir three days ago.
Five Indian soldiers patrolling the Line of Control in Poonch, were ambushed by terrorists backed by the Pakistani Army on Tuesday which has increased tension from relations of Indo-Pak to the Parliament.
India had warned Pakistan that “our restraint should not be taken for granted” over the killing of Indian Soldiers. The incident has cast a shadow on a meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two countries scheduled for next month.
However the newly-elected Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tried to ease tensions by urging both sides to work swiftly to shore up a 10-year ceasefire on Thursday. Sharif expressed his sadness over the loss of life and said it was “imperative” for India and Pakistan to take “effective steps to ensure and restore” the truce.
Despite of Nawaz Sharif’s statement, the latest ceasefire violation incident is bound to further strain the ties.
Sources said that it is clear that “business as usual” will not continue with Pakistan and that the neighbour will have to effectively demonstrate its commitment to curbing attacks in India.
Repeated ceasefire violation by Pakistan is threatening to derail the resumption of peace talks between India and Pakistan. Bilateral ties have been at a low especially since January when an Indian soldier was beheaded at the border by Pakistani soldiers.
Though the Indian government has not yet officially commented on whether the assault on the jawans will alter the meeting plan. Sources said India is likely to delay its response to Islamabad’s proposal for secretary level talks on issues like the Wullar Barrage, the Tulbul Navigation Project and Sir Creek.
Bureau Report
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