Indian Army Strikes Back After Ceasefire Violations, Kills Two Pak Soldiers in PoK

Srinagar: Indian Army on Sunday retaliated against Pakistan’s continuous ceasefire violations, killing 2 soldiers and injuring six others, as it struck posts in Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

In the strike, three civilians were killed and 17 were injured. A mess of the Pakistan’s 24 frontier unit was also destroyed. The casualties have been reported from border villages in Hajira sector of PoK. Villages that came under the barrage of fire in Pakistan are - Bhaira in Tetrinote, Satwal in Abbaspur, Dhakki Chaffar in Abbaspur, Polaas and Chatri.

The targeted action comes after an Indian Army jawan and his wife were killed and three others were hurt as Pakistan troops lobbed mortar shells and resorted to small arms and automatic weapons fire at civilian areas along the Line of Control in Poonch sector on Saturday morning.

Mohammad Showkat and his wife Safia Bi had died after a 120 mm mortar shell fell on their house at Karmara village situated along the LoC. Their two daughters were among the three injured. The Army had called the Pakistani troop action “unprovoked and indiscriminate” and promised that the Indian Army will hit back strongly and effectively.

Envoy Summoned

For the second consecutive day, Pakistan summoned India’s deputy high commissioner in Islamabad over alleged firing along the Line of Control. Pakistan had summoned DHC J P Singh on Saturday too for firing by Indian forces in Chirikot and Satwal sectors, in which two persons were killed and three others were injured.

“The Director-General urged the Indian side to respect the 2003 ceasefire arrangement, investigate this and other incidents of ceasefire violations, instruct the Indian forces to respect the ceasefire, in letter and spirit and maintain peace on the LoC," Pakistan’s Foreign Office had said on Saturday.

In response, India had told the Pakistan DG that the ceasefire violations were initiated by Pakistani troops in Poonch and Krishnaghati sectors and the Indian forces only responded appropriately. A strong protest was also lodged over the death of two Indians in Saturday’s ceasefire violations.

Further, a serious concerns over attacks on civilian areas, increased movement of terrorists and infiltration attempts across LOC were conveyed to Pakistan. They were also informed that there have been more than 223 ceasefire violations and around 50 infiltration attempts by terrorist from Pakistani side this year alone.