New Delhi: In the second such incident within two months, India and Pakistan blamed each other for violating the ceasefire at the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Indian Army claimed that two terrorists were killed while attempting to infiltrate across the LoC in Poonch district on Monday. The bodies of the slain terrorists could not be retrieved as they managed to flee across the LoC before succumbing to their injuries, suffered during a gunfight with the Army, an Indian Army spokesperson told PTI.
The Jammu-based Army PRO Lt Colonel Suneel Bartwal stated that after the gunfight, “blood trails leading towards the LoC were also detected”. “As per intelligence inputs, the two terrorists who attempted to infiltrate were injured but still managed to return across the LoC and later succumbed,” he added.
This is the second infiltration that the Army claims to have foiled along the LoC in Poonch this August.
On August 7, a divisional commander of the Hizbul Mujahideen and his bodyguard were shot while attempting to cross into Indian territory. While the Hizbul commander’s body was recovered, his bodyguard had managed to retreat across the LoC.
Meanwhile, Pakistan claimed that a civilian had been killed by “unprovoked firing” by Indian forces across the border on Monday.
Pakistan army’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) identified the civilian as Ghias, a resident of village Oli of Kotli district. “This blatant Indian aggression is a clear violation of existing ceasefire understandings. Pakistan desires peace and tranquillity at its borders, however, all necessary measures will be taken to protect the life and property of our citizens,” said the ISPR statement.
Earlier in June, Pakistan summoned India’s acting high commission in India to lodge a “strong protest” over alleged violation of the LoC that led to the death of Pakistani civilians. It was the first instance of the two countries accusing each other of violating the ceasefire agreement since the February 2021 understanding to strictly abide by the pact.
“Condemning the deplorable targeting of innocent civilians by the Indian forces, it was underscored that such senseless acts are in clear violation of the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding, reaffirmed in February 2021,” said a statement by the Foreign Office.
According to the Indian Army, security forces shot dead three armed Pakistani intruders who were making an attempt to breach the Indian side from the LoC in Poonch district.
In a tweet, the Indian Army’s Jammu-based White Knight Corps posted, “Infiltration bid eliminated in Krishna Ghati Sector on 23/24 Jun, in which 1 soldier suffered gunshot wound & evacuated. 3 infiltrators running towards LC (Line of Control) engaged by own troops & seen falling down near LC.”