Cross-LoC trade suspended through Aman Setu
Sanjeev Pargal/Fayaz Bukhari
JAMMU/SRINAGAR, Dec 6: Two security personnel were killed and three others injured as Pakistan army violated ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district in Jammu region and Uri and Kupwara sectors in North Kashmir today, which also forced authorities to suspend trans-LoC trade that takes place through Aman Setu.
Official sources told the Excelsior that Pakistan army violated ceasefire in forward area of Rakhee in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district at 3.50 pm by resorting to firing targeting forward posts of Army and BSF. Click here to watch video
The Indian troops retaliated from their forward posts, leading to heavy exchanges till 4.30 pm in which two BSF jawans were seriously injured. One of them identified as Prosenjit Biswas succumbed to his injuries while being referred to the hospital. Another injured S Mansaram has been hospitalized in critical condition.
Pakistan army was reported to have suffered heavy losses in retaliatory firing by the BSF, sources said, adding that exact details of casualties and damages on the Pakistan side are being ascertained.
Ceasefire violation by Pakistan army came within fortnight of Brigade Commander level flag meeting between India and Pakistan at Chakan-Da-Bagh in Poonch district in which the two sides had committed themselves to 2003 ceasefire agreement.
However, Pakistan army again violated the agreement and opened firing on forward posts of India in Sunderbani sector.
Meanwhile, India and Pakistani troops traded fire in Uri and Kupwara sectors along the Line of Control (LoC) in North Kashmir in which a soldier was killed and it forced authorities to suspend the trans-LoC trade that takes place through Aman Setu.
Pakistan troops targeted Army posts of 57 RR in Kumkadi area in Machil this morning. The troops manning the fence retaliated, triggering a brief exchange of cross-LoC shelling which continued for half an hour.
Three soldiers including Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) suffered injuries and were evacuated to military hospital Drugmulla. The trio was later shifted to 92 base hospital at Badamibagh, Srinagar. One among the injured identified as Signal Operator Rajesh Kumar succumbed to injuries.
The other two injured identified as Naib Subedar Jitender Singh and Naik Virender Pratab are being treated at Base hospital.
Pakistani troops also targeted Roshni Post in Machil sector at around 6:30 pm. The Army returned the fire, triggering an exchange of shelling for about half an hour.
A Defence spokesman said that an Army man was killed when Pakistan troops opened fire in violation of ceasefire, which was retaliated.
“Ceasefire violation (CFV) took place by Pakistan in Machil Sector of Kupwara district at around 1045 hours today. Our troops retaliated strongly. One soldier was killed in Pakistani fire,” the Defence spokesman added.
And in Kamalkote sector along the LoC in Uri area of North Kashmir’s Baramulla district, India and Pakistani troops exchanged fire throughout last night. The firing started last evening after two soldiers were injured in Pakistani troops’ firing exchange earlier yesterday in the area. They were identified as Sepoy Dupo Veshunath and Naik M Walim of 8 Rashtriya Rifles.
Pakistan army targeted Indian forward posts by firing with automatic weapons and shelling. The Army retaliated, leading to an exchange of fire that continued throughout the night. However, no loss of life or injuries were reported in the exchange on either side.
In the shelling, one residential house and a shed of Hakim Ali Mir of Bathard Kundi Barjala Kamalkote was damaged. However, no loss of life or injuries were reported in the exchange. Sub-District Magistrate, Uri Baseer ul Haq said that the affected family has been shifted to safety. He said that officers on the ground have been directed to shift the people to safer places in case situation warrants so.
The overnight firing in Kamalkote sector which overlooks Kaman Post has led to the suspension of the trans-LoC trade between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad.
Haq said that cross-LoC trade was suspended for a day as a precautionary measure following cross-LoC shelling.
The Trade Facilitation Officer, Salamabad in Uri, in a written communication, said that 16 Cargo trucks could not be traded out as the trade had been suspended for today by Army due to security reasons.
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