Pakistan Violates Ceasefire Along LoC in Poonch, Indian Army Responds Strongly

GG News Bureau
Poonch, 13th Feb. Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire on Wednesday, opening unprovoked fire on Indian Army posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district, security officials said. The Indian Army retaliated with a strong response, inflicting “heavy casualties” on the enemy forces. However, the extent of damage on the Pakistani side remains unclear.

This ceasefire violation comes just a day after an improvised explosive device (IED) blast near the LoC in the Akhnoor sector of Jammu killed two Indian Army personnel, including a captain. Such cross-border violations have been rare since India and Pakistan reaffirmed the ceasefire agreement on February 25, 2021.

Officials said Pakistani troops opened fire on a forward post in the Tarkundi area, prompting swift retaliation from Indian forces. A viral video circulating on social media purportedly shows a Pakistani army officer paying last respects to fallen soldiers.

Meanwhile, a junior commissioned officer (JCO) of the Indian Army sustained minor injuries after stepping on a landmine during a patrol in the same sector. The officer, a resident of Mendhar, was evacuated to a military hospital.

The security situation along the LoC has been tense, with a surge in hostile activities from across the border over the past week. This is the first recorded ceasefire violation of the year and the fourth cross-border incident in just five days.

On Monday, a soldier was injured after being hit by a bullet from across the border in the Kalal area of the Nowshera sector in Rajouri district. A day earlier, an Army patrol in the Keri sector of Rajouri came under terrorist fire from a forest across the LoC, indicating possible infiltration attempts. On February 4-5, a landmine explosion reportedly resulted in casualties among infiltrators attempting to cross into Indian territory in the Krishna Ghati sector.

Following these incidents, Lieutenant General Navin Sachdeva, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the Jammu-based White Knight Corps, visited forward areas in Rajouri on February 10 to review the security situation. The Army said in a statement that he commended troops for their vigilance and operational readiness, urging them to stay prepared for all contingencies.