Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire twice in Keran sector of Kashmir even as Indian security forces foiled an infiltration bid after exchanging fire with militants that left a JCO dead, the Indian Army said today.
The Pakistani side has, however, claimed that Indian troops shot dead three of their soldiers, in what they allege was 'completely unprovoked' firing.
Pakistan army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said soldiers had been moving between posts when they got lost in bad weather in the Neelum river valley before the exchange of fire across the Line of Control (LoC).
The Indian army has also provided a version of the incident.
"There were two ceasefire violation in Keran sector of Kupwara district from across the Line of Control since 2000 hours Wednesday," Defence spokesman Lt Colonel J S Brar said.
He said the first ceasefire violation took place at 2000 hours last night and the firing from other side of LoC continued for nearly 50 minutes.
The second ceasefire violation began at 1100 hours today and the exchange of fire was continuing till last reports came in, the spokesman said.
Official sources said the Pakistani troops stationed at Saheli post opened unprovoked firing at Shalapathri post on this side of LoC yesterday, leaving a soldier injured. The Pakistani troops fired mortar shells towards Indian positions which was retaliated.
After a brief lull, Pakistani troops resumed firing mortar shells towards this side at 11.00 am, the sources said. The ceasefire violations on Eid day came after troops foiled an infiltration bid in the same area.
JCO Naib Subedar Gurdayal Singh was killed during the operation.
Sources said the ceasefire violations from Pakistani side were apparently aimed at giving cover to militants trying to infiltrate into Kashmir ahead of snowfall which will close all the natural passes along the rugged terrain of LoC.
Army had earlier said that militants were desperate to infiltrate into Kashmir following elimination of several top commanders of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad outfits during summer.
As many as 13 militants were killed in a failed infiltration bid in Gurez sector of Bandipora district on August 20. More than a dozen infiltration bids have been foiled along the LoC in Kupwara district last month.