Pak breaches LoC, IB peace

JAMMU: After a rare day of lull, the Pakistan on Sunday breached the peace along both Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), targeting Indian position in Rajouri and Kathua districts respectively.
The cowardice of the enemy nation drew strong retaliation from our forces.

On Sunday, Pak rangers fired unprovoked along IB in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district, second violation of Ceasefire at IB in three days.

“Pakistani Rangers this morning at around 1100 hours fired small arms in Hiranagar area,” official spokesman here said.

He said that the BSF troops responded by limited fire, adding, no loss or damage on Indian side has been reported so far while no further firing resorted by either side.

Earlier on January 18, Pakistan fired small arms and violated the ceasefire on the IB while on January 15, a BSF attained martyrdom in sniper fire from across the border along the IB in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Army also opened fire along the LoC in Rajouri district on Sunday.

Defence Ministry sources said here that the Pakistan Army targeted Indian positions in Kalal and Khori areas of Nowshera sector using small arms, automatics and mortars.

"Our troops retaliated strongly and effectively," an official said, adding that the Pakistani firing started at 1 p.m.

"Till last reports came in there was no casualty or damage on our side," an official said.

More than two dozen violations of the 2003 bilateral ceasefire by Pakistani troops have taken place during this month in Poonch and Rajouri and on the international border in the Jammu division.

Indian Army has been giving befitting reply to the cross border firing.

Northern Command Army Commander Lt Gen Ranbir Singh on Thursday said that five Pakistani soldiers were killed and several injured by the Indian Army in retaliation along the LoC over the last few days.