Jawan martyred in LoC firing; searches on for five intruders

JAMMU: A soldier was killed in a gunbattle with around five to six terrorists who, aided by the cover fire by the Pakistan Army, tried to cross the Line of Control in Rajouri district on Friday.
The Army retaliated to the intrusion strongly, but any casualties on the side of the intruders, couldn’t be confirmed, even as a search for the bodies, if any, has been launched in the area.
The Pakistani Army violated the peace in the same sector along the LoC twice in the day.
The Indian Army observed suspicious movement of terrorists in Krishna Ghati Sector around 2.30 am.
"The Pakistan Army violated ceasefire and abetted terrorists who were involved in suspicious movement in Krishna Ghati Sector in Rajouri district around 2.30 am," a defence spokesman said.
In the ensuing exchange of fire, Sepoy Rahul Bhairu Sulagekar sustained gunshot wounds and was evacuated to the nearest medical aid centre, where he succumbed to injuries.
The Army sources said that the intruders were around five to six in number--- suspected to be Pakistan-backed terrorists -- and were "allowed" to cross the LoC into the Indian side of the border so that they could be "trapped".
“They attempted to infiltrated amid heavy shelling and fired at an Indian Army post. It was a stand-off situation," said a source in the Army.
He said the Pakistan Forces took benefit of the terrain and heavy shelling to sneak into the Indian territory and attacked the post. "
“The situation was tense. Complete stand-off, however, the troops managed to retaliate befittingly," he said.
"The intruders were allowed to cross the LoC after they were seen from a distance. Our troops engaged with them when they reached around 100 feet near one of our posts. It is not yet clear if there were any casualties on the side of the intruders. A search for the bodies, if any, has been launched in the area," a senior Army officer told.
The officer further said the intruders could also have been Pakistan's Border Action Team (BAT) commandos. "Their identities and motives are being ascertained," he added.
There was another ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the Krishna Ghati sector on Friday.
"After the first ceasefire violation reported late on Thursday night, there was a lull in the firing. However, Pakistani troops started firing small arms and mortars again at around 11.45 a.m. to which we responded," said another Army officer.
Sources added the Pakistan Army carried out the attack with the aim of destabilising peace and harmony in the Kashmir Valley.
The martyred Army jawan belonged to the Maratha Regiment.
Sulagekar, 21, belonged to Uchagaon village in Belgavi district of Karnataka. He is survived by his mother Geeta.
"He [Sepoy Sulagekar] was a brave, highly motivated and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for his supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," the Army said in a statement.
Sources added that an Indian civilian was also injured in separate ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Tangdhar sector of Kupwara district.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, till September this year, Pakistan Army had violated the ceasefire over 2,000 times in 2019 alone, killing 21 Indians.