Fayaz Bukhari
Srinagar, Aug 18: Pakistani troops today violated ceasefire in Nowgam sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir valley and Indian troops retaliated. However, there were no casualties from either side.
Meanwhile, Commander of Srinagar-based Chinar Corps, Lt Gen Subrata Saha, today expressed satisfaction over the counter-infiltration grid along the LoC, and said that Army is capable of giving appropriate response to any escalation of ceasefire violations by Pakistan.
Army sources said that Paksitani troops opened fire on Indian posts in Leepa valley of Nowgam sector at around 12:05 p.m. today. The fire was retaliated by the Army and the firing from both the sides continued for upto 2 p.m.
Sources said that Pakistani troops fired over a dozen rocket propelled grenades and around 700 rounds Pika ammunition on Indian posts. However, there were no casualties from Indian side.
Lt Gen Subrata Saha hoped that situation along the border and LoC where Pakistan is violating ceasefire will remain under control. “In Kashmir division, the ceasefire violations are not as significant as it is in the South of Pir Panjal in Jammu division. So in this region the ceasefire violations are being kept under check and I hope the situation will remain under control”, he told reporters on the sidelines of the final of the Army sponsored Football tournament at Kupwara in North Kashmir.
The General, however, said that if the tension along the LoC escalates the Army will respond appropriately. “If it escalates, we can retaliate appropriately,” he said.
The GOC said the counter-infiltration grid which is in place along the LoC in Kashmir is robust and it has foiled several infiltration attempts recently. “Let me assure you we have a very robust counter- infiltration grid in place. You have seen recent encounters where attempts have been made for infiltration. Those attempts have been foiled…In the past two to three weeks, seven terrorists have been killed while trying to infiltrate because of the very robust counter-infiltration grid,” he said.
Lt Gen Saha termed the militant attack on BSF as unfortunate. “I wish to assure you that appropriate lessons are being learnt”, he said. Two BSF personnel were killed and four others injured when militants attacked their vehicle at Koil in Pulwama district of South Kashmir last week and 8 BSF personnel including Assistant Commandant were injured in another attack in the same district.
Follow our WhatsApp channel