JAMMU: Pakistani soldiers violated the ceasefire by firing without provocation in forward areas along the LoC in J&K’s Poonch district Wednesday evening. Security sources said the attack was an attempt to push terrorists into India, using cover fire as a decoy.
“Our border guards gave a befitting response in equal calibre. There are no immediate reports of casualties or damage on our side,” an official source said.
The two nations had earlier agreed to the “strict observance” of all peace and ceasefire agreements. However, Pakistan has repeatedly breached the accord.
One of the most blatant violations occurred on Sept 11 last year, when gunfire from across the border killed a BSF trooper in Akhnoor sector of Jammu, and another was shot dead when Pakistan Rangers fired at Indian posts in Samba in Nov 2023.
The latest firing comes amid rising hostilities along the LoC. Security forces anticipate an early start to infiltration attempts this year as melting snow in mountainous regions eases movement for terrorists.
“The winter lull, which typically stretches for several months, may be shorter than usual this year due to rising temperatures,” a security source said.
Recent attacks highlight the growing threat. On Monday, a bullet fired from across the border hit a soldier at a forward post in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district. On Feb 8, gunfire from a forest across the LoC targeted an Army patrol in Keri sector of Rajouri.
On Tuesday, Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi, 27, and Naik Mukesh Singh Manhas, 29, lost their lives in an IED attack near the LoC in Akhnoor.
Security sources estimate 70 to 80 Pakistani terrorists are active in J&K, with 55 to 60 in Jammu region. These “highly trained intruders” operate in small groups, equipped with weapons like M4 carbines and thermal imaging devices. Their ability to coordinate attacks in the rugged terrain, which offers ample natural cover, poses a major challenge.
