Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 15: Pakistan Army today again violated ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar sector and reportedly tried to push the infiltrators into this side under the cover of firing but failed.
Defence spokesman SN Acharya said Pakistan Army opened firing in violation of ceasefire agreement in Mendhar sector at 6.25 am today. Four posts of Indian Army were fired upon in Deri Dabsi and Newal areas of Mendhar sector.
“Indian side retaliated,” he said, adding that exchange of firing between the troops of India and Pakistan continued till 10 am after which the firing ceased.
No casualties or damage was reported on the Indian side during about four hours long firing from the Pakistan side in which automatic and small firearms were used, official sources said.
Firing by the Pakistani troops has almost become a regular affair on the LoC in Poonch district for past about one and a half months.
Sources said that a group of militants also tried to infiltrate inside the Indian territory from Naaz forests in Mendhar sector under the cover of firing by the Pakistani troops. However, alert Indian Army thwarted the plot of the militants and Pakistani Army with retaliatory firing and didn’t allow the militants come close to the LoC.
The militants were reported to have retreated to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) after making futile attempt to enter inside the Indian territory.
This was about 60th ceasefire violation by the Pakistan along the LoC and International Border in Poonch, Rajouri and Jammu districts since tensions escalated between the two sides after the killing of five Indian soldiers by Pakistan Army on the intervening night of August 5 and 6.
Sources said under the cover of firing, Pakistan Army was also trying to push trained militants into this side. However, the Indian troops, who were maintaining a high alert along the LoC, have thwarted all such attempts and didn’t allow the militants to sneak into this side.
Sources said Intelligence agencies have reported that over 150 militants were stationed close to the LoC at launching pads on PoK side awaiting an opportunity to sneak into this side. When the firing was at its peak in the middle of August, the militants had come very close to the LoC and made determined bids to infiltrate from Balakote and Mendhar sectors in Poonch district and Manjakote sector in Rajouri district.
However, Army foiled all their attempts, sources said.
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