After Uri, Pak opens another front in Machil sector, target forward posts

TNN Bureau. Updated: 12/6/2018 3:27:47 PM Jammu and Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 6 : Pakistani troops opened another front violation ceasefire in Machil sector after targeting forward posts at Line of Control (LoC) in Uri, where two soldiers were injured and a hut damaged during the past 24 hours, forcing authorities to suspend cross-border trade on Thursday.

Pakistani troops are violating the 2003 ceasefire to facilitate militants, waiting at launch pads, to sneak into this side before the infiltration routes are closed due to heavy snowfall.

However, troops are alert to foil any infiltration bid and there will be lowering of guard even after heavy snowfall, official sources told TNN.

Pakistani troops resorted to indiscriminate and unprovoked shelling and firing from across the LoC, targeting forward posts at Kamalkote on the border again this morning after intermittent firing since Wednesday night. Indian troops also retaliated, they added.

However, Pak troops again resorted to unprovoked firing and shelling at 0935 hrs this time also targeting civilian areas also.

A shell fell near the structure of Hakim Ali Mir at Batar Kudibarja, Uri causing damage to it. However, no one was injured as the inmates had already left after the firing started.

The guns fell silent at 1100 hrs, they said.

On Wednesday, two army soldiers identified as Sepoy Dupo Veshunath and Naik M Walim of 8 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) were injured when Pak troops resorted to firing in Uri sector.

Due to tension at the LoC, trading activities through Kaman post, the last Indian military post on this side of the LoC were suspended today as a precautionary measure.

Pakistani troops opened a new front and resorted to unprovoked shelling and firing in Machil sector in the frontier district of Kupwara, targeting forward posts along the LoC Thursday afternoon.

The fire was effectively retaliated by Indian troops, they said adding the areas which were affected included Khan Basti, Rangpayeen and Tantray.

However, there was no report of any damage to property or loss of life from this side, they said adding the damage suffered by POK was not known.

Sources said Pak troops are violating ceasefire only to facilitate infiltration into this side from POK, where about 200 trained militants are waiting to sneak into Kashmir.

However, troops who are already on high alert, have intensified foot and night patrolling to foil any infiltration attempt despite difficult terrain and weather woes, they added.


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