Blatant ceasefire violation by Pakisan

The Pakistani army has started adopting “aggressive” posturing along the Line of Control (LoC) even as the ‘currency of peace’ is gaining momentum and efforts are on between India and Pakistan to kickstart the stalled dialogue process.

Five days after two soldiers were killed in hostile fire on May 18 in Poonch, the Pakistani army on Sunday targeted several forward Indian posts. It fired as many as 20 rockets and four mortars in a clear violation of the ceasefire in Krishna Ghati sector of Mendhar in Poonch district. Official sources confirmed that no civilian was hit.

Indian authorities have lodged a strong protest. “A follow-up meeting with the Pakistani counterparts is scheduled to take place on Monday, where we will raise the issue of unprovoked firing,” said a source.

Brigadier General Staff of 16 Corps Headquarters in Nagrotra Brigadier Gurdeep Singh told The Pioneer, “The Pakistani army violated the ceasefire by targeting forward Indian posts on Sunday morning.” Brig Singh confirmed that the firing continued for over three hours.

One Army jawan — identified as C Narayan — received splinter injuries and was rushed to a nearby hospital.

According to ground reports, “The prevailing peace was breached around 9.00 am when the Pakistani army started unprovoked firing targeting forward Indian posts in Krishna Ghati sector.”

The Pakistani army added to the lethal firing with 10 rockets around 10.15 am. In between, it targeted Indian posts with medium machine gun and light machine gun fire. At least three to four forward Indian posts — namely Kirpan, Kranti and Chajamal — were targeted from the Pakistani Daku and Pipal posts, according to official sources.

According to official sources at least six more rockets were fired around 11.40 am. Indian troops retaliated with small arms. Between 12.00 pm and 12.40 pm, four mortars and rockets were again fired from the Pakistani side, injuring one soldier.

Meanwhile, a joint team of Rashtriya Rifles and the Special Operation Group of the State police busted a militant hideout and recovered a huge cache, including 25 under-barrel grenade launcher grenades, one Chinese pistol, eight Chinese grenades, AK rifle ammunition, detonators and 47 improvised explosive device fuses.

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