In a recent ceasefire violation by Pakistan, two Indian soldiers were killed and their bodies were disrespectfully mutilated in Kashmir, prompting the Indian Army to retaliate with small arms and mortar fire.
The soldiers who were killed in the attack – an army soldier and a constable of the BSF (Border Security Force) were part of a team on patrol between two forward posts in the Krishna Ghati sector along the Line of Control (LOC) when Pakistani troops fired rockets and mortar bombs, the army said.
The Indian army vowed an “appropriate” response to the “despicable act.” The attack took place a day after the Pakistan Army Chief; General Qamar Javed Bajwa visited some areas along the LoC and promised support to the Kashmiris.
"Pakistan is inviting its own ruin," said Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi. He said the army will exact revenge.
"Pakistani Army carried out unprovoked rocket and mortar firing on two forward posts on the Line of Control in Krishna Ghati Sector (in Poonch district) this morning," a defense ministry spokesperson said.
"In an unsoldierly act by the Pakistani Army, the bodies of two of our soldiers in the patrol were mutilated," the spokesman said, adding "Such a despicable act of the Pakistan Army will be appropriately responded".
The soldiers killed were Naib Subedar Paramjeet Singh of 22 Sikh Infantry and Head Constable Prem Sagar of 200th Battalion of BSF. A BSF constable Rajinder Singh was injured but is out of danger.
Indian troops retaliated and the firing continued for some time intermittently.
In April this year, there were seven ceasefire violations by the Pakistani troops along the LOC in Poonch and Rajouri sectors of Jammu and Kashmir.
On April 19, the Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the LoC in Poonch sector.
Two days prior to that, the Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire by firing and shelling mortars on the forward posts in the Noushera sector along the LoC in Rajouri district, according to Indian army officials.
Pakistan had broken the ceasefire in the same sector on April 8, in Poonch district on April 5, in the Bhimbher Gali sector on April 4 and twice on April 3 in Balakote and Poonch sectors.
In the Digwar sector of Poonch, a Junior Commissioned Officer, Naib Subedar S Sanayaima Som, was killed in an improvised explosive device blast along the LoC in Poonch sector on April 1.
There were four violations of the ceasefire along the LoC in Poonch in March.
On March 9, army soldiers Deepak Jagannath Ghadge was killed when Pakistani soldiers initiated indiscriminate and unprovoked firing along the LoC in Poonch.
In 2016, there were 228 instances of ceasefire violation along the LoC, while there were 221 instances of ceasefire violation along the International Border.
AMandeep
