JAMMU: A soldier was killed by a sniper fire of Pakistan army on a forward Indian post along the Line of Control (LoC) in Balakote sector of Poonch district on Sunday.
Army spokesperson Lt Colonel Manish Mehta confirmed his death, saying the incident happened during ceasefire violation by Pakistan. However, sources told HT that Kumar died in sniper fire.
Pakistan army had violated ceasefire in Naushera on Sunday morning, in which, the Indian Army maintained, there was no loss of life or injury on the Indian side.
Poonch is 250 kms northwest west of Jammu, while Rajouri is 150 kms northwest of Jammu.
“Around 6pm on Sunday, a single shot fired by a Pakistani sniper hit soldier Sudesh Kumar of 6 Rajputana Rifles at a forward post in Balakote sector. He died on the spot,” an intelligence official said.
After a week-long lull, Pakistan army opened unprovoked fire on Sunday morning and shot mortars on Indian posts along the LoC in Naushera sector of Rajouri district.
“Around 4.30am, Pakistani troops opened fire on our posts in Naushera sector, prompting us to retaliate in equal measure,” a senior army officer of Northern Command said.
{{/usCountry}}“Around 4.30am, Pakistani troops opened fire on our posts in Naushera sector, prompting us to retaliate in equal measure,” a senior army officer of Northern Command said.
{{/usCountry}}A local journalist, while quoting villagers, said that they woke up to machine gun fire and mortar explosions.
“In the morning, the exchanges were intense and both sides used automatic weapons, including mortars. Presently, intermittent fire is on,” he said.