Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 19: Violating the ceasefire twice today, Pakistani troops opened fire from automatic weapons and mortars on Hamirpur battalion, Balakote and Mendhar along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, drawing retaliation from the Indian Army on both the occasions.
There was no report of casualties or damage to property in the two separate incidents, official sources told the Excelsior.
The Pakistani troops targeted the battalion in Hamirpur at around 9.05 pm tonight, sparking an exchange of fire that continued late into the night, they said.
Earlier this afternoon, the Pakistani Army fired at Indian forward posts with small arms along the LoC in Mendhar, Balakote and Hamirpur sectors in Poonch district.
Pakistani troops had earlier fired heavily on Indian posts in Hamirpur, Mendhar and Balakote border belts along the LoC in Poonch district and also pounded civilian areas in the three belts.
“There was firing by the Pakistani Army in Hamirpur and Balakote belts last night also. The firing is going on for past 10 consecutive days,” sources said.
The Indian soldiers replied strongly, triggering exchanges, which continued throughout last night, they said.
The Pakistani troops also targeted civilian areas with medium mortar shells and rockets sparking panic among the inhabitants.
Some houses and cattle sheds were damaged in the forward areas even as there were reports that the Border Action Team (BAT) of Pakistan was planning to conduct more attacks on the Army and BSF posts in the forward areas.
Sources said that after pounding forward Indian posts and villages almost throughout the last night, Pakistan Army resumed heavy firing at 2.35 pm today in Mendhar, Balakote, Krishna Ghati and Hamirpur sectors of Poonch district. The firing continued till late tonight in some areas.
Official sources said: “Pakistan Army used automatic weapons and small arms on the Line of Control (LoC) during the day. Indian troops retaliated effectively. Exchange of firing was on.
“No reports of casualties or damage have been reported from Indian side today”.
During last night, firing continued at Balakote from 12 am to 4.15 am, Hamirpur from 11 pm to 3 am, Mankote from 9 pm to 2.30 pm and Mendhar from 10.25 pm to 3.45 am.
The people in all forward areas have been spending sleepless nights for past more than a week especially after the Pakistan Army started targeting civilian areas. So far, five civilians have been injured in Pakistan firing. Besides, a number of cattle have perished, some houses and cattle sheds have also suffered damage.
Sources said pellets of 82mm mortar shells have been landing at Dharana, Lanjiot and Pattari forward villages in Mendhar sector, Dharati, Malikpur, Deri Dabsi and Lohara Gali in Balakote, Sarhuti, Sabra Gali and Bhera in Krishna Ghati and Panjni in Hamirpur sectors.
“We are frightened but we will never migrate. This is conspiracy of Pakistan to target civil areas, force our migration and compel Indian Army to stop retaliation. We are going to stay in our houses to boost the morale of Army,” said Mohammad Mahfooz Khan son of Mohammad Hussain Khan, a resident of Sandot, Balakote, whose house was hit by splinters of 82mm mortar shell last night.
Several other civilians in the forward areas have echoed similar views.
Pakistan Army has been resorting to unprovoked firing for past 10 days targeting almost all forward areas in Poonch sector. The Indian side has been an effective response to the firing leading to heavy exchanges almost every day and night.
Army and BSF have reports that Pakistan’s BAT could attempt more attacks on their forward posts in Poonch sector. On the intervening night of August 14 and 15, the BSF had foiled a BAT attack by Pakistan.
BAT comprising Pakistan Army personnel and militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit was responsible for the killing of five Indian soldiers and injuries to another in Sarala battalion area of Poonch sector on the intervening night of August 5 and 6.
Meanwhile, undeterred by continuous mortar shell blasts and rattle of heavy machine guns aiming their posts, Indian jawans were braving bad weather and inhospitable terrain to keep a ‘hawk’s eye’ on the LoC in Poonch sector.
“Our morale is very high. We are not scared of Pakistani firing and are ready to retaliate strongly, paying them in the same coin,” Sepoy Raj Singh said, while manning a forward post.
“We have to keep an hawk’s eye on the LoC at all times… it does not matter whether there is a ceasefire violation or firing on our posts or infiltration of militants and BAT teams,” Singh added.
Situation in the past few weeks in Poonch-Rajouri sector has deteriorated following repeated ceasefire violations, firing on forward posts and sniper-firings which has forced jawans, officers and Commanding Officers to remain on their toes along the 225-km-long LoC.
Not only they have to patrol the LoC to check infiltration of militants, they also have to battle inhospitable terrains at high altitudes coupled with near zero-visibility.
“Apart from Pakistan Army firing, we have to fight inhospitable terrains. Visibility in cloudy conditions along the LoC becomes so poor that we cannot see our own jawans even at a distance of 10 to 20 meters,” Altaf Ahmed, a JCO, said.
Unperturbed by continuous firing and burst of Pak 62-mm mortar shells near a high-altitude post here last night, Sepoy Singh assured his officer of a ‘strong retaliation’.
Another jawan manning a LMG post bang on zero line in KG sub-sector pointed out in the dark and said in a defiant tone, “We will not be cowed down.”
“Pakistani troops have been firing intensely on our forward posts daily with mortars, rockets, RPG and high caliber weaponry,” Army officers said.
“Our troops are alert and if there is firing from across the border we are ready with a befitting reply,” they said.
Since January, there have been 70 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops, which is 85 per cent more than last year during the same corresponding period, Army officers said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel