Jammu, April 25
The Pakistan Army violated the mutually brokered truce deal by opening heavy fire, including 82 mm mortars, on at least four Indian forward posts in the Shahpur area along the 744 km-long Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district today. The firing was in retaliation to the Indian Army foiling an intrusion bid by a group of armed militants.

The Army that responded in equal measure described the Pakistani action a first “serious” violation of the ceasefire agreement in the Poonch sector this year.

“The firing started around 9.30 am after we foiled an intrusion attempt by a group of four militants, who were trying to sneak in. Consequently, the Pakistani Army provided them cover fire and in the process targeted our forward posts,” said an Army source.

“It was an infiltration bid that turned into a ceasefire violation as Pakistani troops fired at our posts drawing us to respond in equal measure,” he added. The Pakistani troops initially used small arms fire but switched to automatic weapons and 82 mm mortars. “It was a serious violation as they used 82 mm mortars. But we are well prepared,” he said. The source said a few days ago, the Army received an intelligence input about intrusion attempts from the Sawjian and Doda Battalion area. “The gun-battle lasted over two hours. There were no casualties or injuries on our side,” the source said.

Jammu-based Defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Mehta said: “The ceasefire violation started around 9.15 am in which the Pakistan Army used small arms and automatic weapons prompting our troops to use similar-calibre weapons. The firing ceased at 12.30 pm.”

An intelligence source said Pakistan troops targeted PP 1, Sher Shakti, Jungle 3 and Doda Pir posts of the Indian Army. These are guarded by 3 Garhwal Rifles in the Shahpur area, also called the Doda Battalion area.

Pakistan had initially opened fire from their Mochi Mora and Jora posts, he added. “Pakistan troops used LMG, MMG and mortars, inviting equal response from the Indian Army,” said the official. In December, New Delhi and Islamabad had pledged to uphold the 2003 LoC ceasefire agreement, which had been left in tatters after repeated violations by Pakistan in Poonch sector and then all along the 198 km-long International Border. The directors general of military operations (DGMOs) of the two countries had agreed to a number of steps to keep the ceasefire accord intact. The Himalayan territory of Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan by de facto border of LoC.

A statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) - Pakistan Army’s official website - blamed the Indian troops for the latest skirmish.