Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 23: Pakistan Army last night again violated ceasefire by resorting to firing on the Indian troops at their forward positions on Line of Control (LoC) in Sabjian sub sector of Poonch district. Troops foiled a reported infiltration attempts by the militants under the cover of firing.
Official sources told the Excelsior that the militants failed to sneak-in as alert troops from this side retaliated with small arms firing to neutralize the militants, who reportedly retreated to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK).
They said Pakistan Army started heavy firing on forward positions at 10.30 pm last night in Sabjian sub sector of Poonch district. Anticipating infiltration attempt by the militants under the cover of darkness and adverse weather conditions, the Indian troops retaliated with small arms fire aiming the directions from where the militants could enter into this side.
The firing continued for about 40 minutes.
There were no casualties or damage on Indian side in the firing, sources said, adding that troops conducted searches in the forward areas of Sabjian sector this morning and didn’t find any traces of militants leading to Indian side.
“The infiltration attempts by the militants under cover of Pakistan firing was foiled successfully,’’ sources said.
They added that a group of about 10 to 15 militants has been frequenting the Pakistani forward posts opposite Sabjian sub sector in Poonch district during past about one week. Their movement has been reported at the Pakistani posts located very close to the LoC.
“This group comprising mostly the Pakistani militants were being guided by two to three locals of PoK’s forward villages for infiltration,’’ sources said.
Though a number of militants have been camping at the LoC awaiting an opportunity to sneak in, this group of 10 to 15 ultras were in “full battle dress’’ to infiltrate and was camping at very close forward posts.
Sources, however, said that the troops have been keeping a strict surveillance on the group and won’t allow it to enter into this side.
“We are maintaining a high alert on the situation on the LoC. Troops have been conducting regular night patrols in the area,’’ they added.
This is the fourth ceasefire violation this month. On July 3, Pakistani troops fired at policemen, who had gone to LoC at Sabjian in Poonch to collect the body of a Pakistani intruder killed in IED blast.
The Pakistani troops had again fired at Indian soldiers on July 8 while they were trying to evacuate injured porters along LoC in Poonch.
On July 12, Pakistani Rangers opened fire at Indian forward posts in Pindi belt in Arnia area of RS Pura sector along International Border (IB).
Sources said they were anticipating more infiltration attempts on the LoC in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch as there was heavy growth of vegetation and forest cover in the forward areas and weather was also adverse in the Monsoon.
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