Soldier injured in Uri ceasefire violation

Kaman, Uri (LoC), July 17

A soldier was injured in a ceasefire violation in the Uri sector this afternoon. The violation took place at Dulanja when the peace bus service — “Karvan-e-Aman” — between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) reached Aman Setu. Nearly 60 passengers had arrived from across.

The exchange of mortar and small arms fire continued for at least 15 minutes. After a lull it continued for another half an hour.

“A jawan received minor injuries in the exchange of fire. He is stable,” an Army officer said. The exchange of fire, however, did not hamper the documentation process of the passengers heading to Srinagar.

Amid the increasing ceasefire violations along the LoC in the Jammu region, the passengers hoped of improvement of ties between the two countries.

“We pray for good relations and peace between India and Pakistan,” said a Lahore-based woman who was going back to Muzzaffarabad after attending a wedding in Srinagar. “Hope that aman (peace) reigns in the region.”

A combing operation was launched to check if the ceasefire violation was aimed at pushing militants. — TNS