Pak troops again violate ceasefire in Uri sector
Srinagar, Feb 24 : Pakistani troops on Saturday morning violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing from across the border targeting forward posts in Baramulla’s Uri sector, where 500 civilians were evacuated to safety on Friday.
Defence spokesman Lt Colonel Rajesh Kalia told TNN that the firing started at 1150 hrs and was still going on. “Our troops also retaliated,” he said.
The exchange of fire was going on when the reports last came in and details are awaited, he added.
''Due to firing/shelling from across in border areas of Uri about 500 people migrate to safer areas. DC/SSP on spot looking after the people,” Director General of Police (DGP) S P Vaid wrote on micro-blogging site twitter.
After almost daily ceasefire violation by Pak troops on the LoC and International Border (IB) in Jammu region, Pakistan has now opened new front in Kashmir valley for the past one week, targeting forward posts and civilian areas in Uri, Tangdhar and Karnah sectors.
A BSF jawan was martyred and three civilians, including a woman, were injured and several houses and a mosque were damaged after being hit by shells in these sector.
Border Security Force (BSF) Inspector General (IG) Sonali Mishra said that due to less snowfall this winter on the upper heights, Pakistan is violating ceasefire to facilitate militants to infiltrate into this side. However, she said troops guarding the LoC have already intensified night and foot patrolling to foil any infiltration from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), where launchpads always remained active.
Ms Mishra said Pakistani troops had been violating ceasefire to help militants to sneak into this side from PoK since there was less snowfall on the upper reaches. She said launchpads on the LoC always remain active and there are about 175 militants waiting to sneak into this side. However, she said, troops remain on alert to foil any infiltration attempt.