The Indian Army on Friday foiled an infiltration attempt at the Line of Control in the Keran sector even as Pakistan resorted to ceasefire violations in multiple sectors along the LoC up to Uri, officials said.
Suspicious movement was observed by the Indian troops at the forward posts along the LoC, which were foiled by alert troops, the army said and added that “this was accompanied by initiation of an unprovoked Ceasefire Violation (CFV) by Pakistan along the LoC in Keran Sector by firing mortars and other weapons”.
“Befitting response is being given,” army said. “The CFVs spread to larger areas from Keran to Uri Sectors.”
This was the second infiltration attempt within a week. The earlier unsuccessful infiltration bid in Machhal Sector on 7/8 November was foiled in which three terrorists were eliminated.
The Army said the troops are well poised to defeat all attempts by Pakistan to infiltrate terrrorists into Jammu and Kashmir.
With the martyrdom of another army soldier who was injured in the unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the LoC on Friday, the toll of army-men martyred in action has risen to four, officials said.
“One injured soldier succumbed to his injuries. The nation salutes his supreme sacrifice. In total, four army soldiers were martyred in action,” the army said.
Around seven Pakistan Army soldiers too were killed and a dozen were injured after Indian Army retaliated. The Indian Army also destroyed various enemy positions, terror launch pads and fuel dumps.
Top sources said that inputs suggest that six to seven Pakistan Army soldiers, including two SSG Commandos, were killed in retaliatory action while 10 to 12 were injured.
Indian Army resorted to heavy shelling and destroyed Pakistan Army bunkers, fuel dumps and launch pads across 200 km of the Line of Control.
The Indian Army released videos showing Pakistan Army positions being hit across the Line of Control.
The army said in a statement: “Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation along the LoC spread across multiple sectors including Dawar, Keran, Uri and Naugam.”
The force also said that Pakistan used mortars and other weapons. The shelling started at 11 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m. “Pakistan deliberately targeted civilian areas,” the Indian Army stated.
The force said that Indian troops retaliated strongly, causing substantial damage to Pakistan Army’s infrastructure, resulting in casualties across the LoC.
“Several ammunition dumps, FOL dumps and multiple terrorist launch pads have been damaged,” the Indian Army said.
Meanwhile, three civilians also lost their lives while one BSF officer was martyred in the Pakistan firing. Also, five civilians were reportedly injured in Pakistan firing in the Sabziyan sector in Poonch.
“In the ceasefire violation started by Pakistan, BSF officer Sub Insp Rakesh Dobhal laid down his life while retaliating fittingly. @BSF_Kashmir salutes your supreme sacrifice, Braveheart!” the BSF tweeted.
Pakistan is making all attempts to push terrorists in the Valley amid snowfall in the region. “Hundreds of terrorists are holed up at launch pads across the Line of Control. We have inputs that Pakistan is making deliberate attempts to push them into the Valley,” said a source.
The source further said that Indian Army had foiled an attempted infiltration bid earlier in the day.
Defence Spokesman Colonel Devender Anand said at about 2.45 p.m. Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars along the LoC in Sawjian sector.
The spokesman said Indian army is retaliating befittingly.
Pakistan has violated ceasefire on Friday for the fourth day running. Pakistan violated ceasefire in three other sectors of the LoC during the last three days.
Since the beginning of this year Pakistan has with impunity violated the bilateral ceasefire agreement signed by the two countries in 1999.
