An Indian Army officer was killed in Pakistani firing along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Friday. Indian troops responded with “calibrated retaliation” and an intermittent exchange of fire was on when reports last came in.
The incident comes a day after newly elected Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had pledged to “progressively pursue” normalcy in ties with India while actively seeking solutions to outstanding issues, including Kashmir. Islamabad has not reacted to the Indian charge so far.
Officials at the Army’s Udhampur-based Northern Command said this was this year’s 31st violation of the November 2003 ceasefire by Pakistan which may set off fresh tension along the LoC.
Giving the details of Friday’s incident, the defence spokesperson at Udhampur said the Pakistani troops targeted India’s Khalsa-2 post at Sawjian, in Mandi sub-sector of Poonch, with Pika guns, RPGs and UBGLs at about 1 pm.
Naib Subedar Bachhan Singh was hit by shrapnel and died before he could be evacuated to a hospital, the spokesperson said.
Army sources in New Delhi said attempts at infiltration of militants from PoK into J&K are increasing along with ceasefire violations by Pakistan. Sources said Pakistani troops are indulging in unprovoked firing and ceasefire violations in order to provide cover for infiltrating militants. Army sources also said Pakistan-based militants may try their best to disrupt the forthcoming Amarnath Yatra in J&K. Sources said that as the snow melts in the high mountain passes, militants appear to be stepping up efforts at infiltration into J&K.
The security forces are on alert to foil the plans of terrorist elements based in Pakistan.