Pakistan Violates Ceasefire Along LoC In J-K's Poonch For Second Day

The Pakistani Army violated ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district for the second day on Sunday. According to a defence spokesperson, Pakistan fired mortar bombs at forward posts along the LoC. The ceasefire and intense shelling with mortars started at around 12.50 and was going on when last reports were received. The neighbouring nation targeted areas in Balakot and Mendhar sectors, prompting a befitting retaliation from the Indian Army, he said.

Earlier on Saturday, an Indian soldier was killed and three others were injured in heavy firing and shelling in Degwar sector of Poonch district.

Naik Rajeev Singh Shekhawat, 36, belonged to Rajasthan’s Jaipur district. He is survived by his wife, Usha Shekhawat. The Army on Sunday paid rich tributes with full military honours to Naik Shekhawat.

Senior officers paid last respects to the slain soldiers at a wreath-laying ceremony organised at the Air force Station in Jammu, officials said.

General Officer Commanding-in-chief of Northern Command Lt Gen Y K Joshi and General Officer Commanding of elite White Knight Corps Lt Gen Harsha Gupta also saluted the soldier and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.

Earlier, Pakistan summoned a senior diplomat from the Indian High Commission and registered a strong protest at the alleged ceasefire violations by Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC).

In a statement, the Foreign Office said that four persons, including two women and a child, suffered “serious injuries” due to “indiscriminate and unprovoked firing” in Danna Sector of LoC on February 3.

“...it was underscored that such senseless Indian acts...further vitiate the tense atmosphere along the LoC and pose a threat to regional peace and stability,” the statement said.

It was also emphasized that by raising tensions along the LoC and the Working Boundary (WB), India cannot divert attention from Kashmir, FO said.

Pakistan called upon the Indian side to respect the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding; investigate this and other incidents of deliberate ceasefire violations and maintain peace along the LoC and the WB, it said.