Pakistan violates ceasefire for the second day along LoC

Data by the Union ministry of home affairs shows 2017 witnessed a major spike in the number of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops.

Pakistan and India traded heavy fire on Friday on the Line of Control in Krishna Ghati Sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, a day after an Indian Army soldier and a porter were killed and six others injured after Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire in the same area.

Army jawans patrol LoC in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.(PTI)

Defence spokesperson Colonel NN Joshi said the Pakistan army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatic weapons, and mortars from 7.45am along the de facto border between the two nations.

“Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively. Firing is still on,” he said.

Heavy shelling from both sides in KG Sector and Khari Karmara areas is on since 7am, said an intelligence official.

Data compiled by the Union ministry of home ministry shows that 2017 witnessed a major spike in the number of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops.

Against a total of 449 incidents last year, there have been 600 ceasefire violations till September this year, killing eight civilians and 16 soldiers whereas last year 13 security personnel were killed.

An official told the Hindustan Times on Thursday that a soldier and porter were killed and the six injured in an IED blast in Gulpur area on Thursday morning and the army said in the evening the casualties were mounted after a ceasefire violation by Pakistan.

Sepoy TK Reddy and defence porter Mohammed Zahier were grievously injured during the exchange of fire and succumbed to their injuries later, a defence spokesperson said. Six other personnel, including one defence porter, also sustained injuries and are being treated, he added.

Reddy, 21, belonged to Prakasam district in Andhra Pradesh and is survived by his mother Gurrumma. Porter Zahier, 22, hailed from Kalali village in Rajouri district.

The spokesperson said Reddy was a brave and sincere soldier and Zahir was an honest and dedicated worker. The nation will always remain indebted to them for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty, he added.

Reddy’s body was being brought to Jammu in a helicopter and shall be flown in a fixed wing aircraft to Delhi after a wreath-laying ceremony in the winter capital of the restive state. It will be taken to Hyderabad in a civil flight around 5pm on Friday.

On Saturday morning, the soldier’s body will be taken to his native place for the last rites with full military honour.