Pakistan again violates ceasefire in Kashmir .

Pakistan again violates ceasefire in Kashmir .

Jammu | 22 Sep 2013 ::  Pakistani troops violated ceasefire for the second time Sunday, firing at Indian troops on the Line of Control (LoC) in the Mendhar sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir. Saturday night, Pakistani troops indulged in unprovoked firing at Indian positions on the LoC in Rajouri district, an army spokesman said Sunday. He added, "The Pakistani firing started at 11.55 p.m. and the exchange of gunfire in the area continued till 2 a.m. today (Sunday). No loss occurred on our side.

In the second violation Sunday, Pakistani troops used small arms and automatics to target Indian positions across the LoC, a defence spokesman told IANS. "Pakistani firing started at 3 p.m. Sunday. Our troops retaliated with similar calibre weapons. Intermittent exchange of firing is still going on," he said. Pakistan has violated the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir almost 20 times this month and 100 times so far this year.(Courtesy:IBN Live)

Pakistan violates ceasefire again.

Pakistan violates ceasefire again.

Pakistan violates ceasefire again

IBN live | India | 15 Sep 2013 :: Pakistani troops on Sunday fired at Indian positions in Mendhar sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. "Around 6.30 am, Pakistani troops fired at Pilli and Noal posts in Dari Dabsi area of the LoC in Mendhar sector," police sources told IANS. The Pakistan army used automatics and light weapons and the Indian side retaliated the fire.

Till last reports came in, firing exchangebetween the two sides was still going on. On Friday, India's External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Pakistan's adviser on foreign affairs and national security, Sartaj Aziz, agreed to a meeting of the prime ministers of the two countries in New York later this month. Aziz and Khurshid met in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit. The two leaders had agreed to respect the LoC ceasefire agreement. Just two days after the meet, Pakistan again violated the ceasefire. The bilateral ceasefire agreement was signed by the two neighbours in November 2003. It had brought normalcy in the lives of thousands of people living close to the border. India has been accusing Pakistan of unprovoked violation of the ceasefire agreement since the beginning of the year.(Courtesy:IBN live)

Pakistan Army violates ceasefire again, fires indiscriminately along LoC in Pallanwala.

Pakistan Army violates ceasefire again, fires indiscriminately along LoC in Pallanwala.

JAMMU & KASHMIR | 30 Aug 2013 :: After a two-day lull, Pakistan Army again violated the ceasefire by targeting forward posts along the LoC in Jammu district, drawing retaliation from Indian forces.

"Pakistan Army opened indiscriminate and unprovoked firing on forward posts along the LoC in Pallanwala sub-sector in Jammu district around 11:30 pm hours on Thursday night", a senior Army officer said on Friday. Pakistan Army fired from small and automatic weapons on the forward posts along LoC.

Indian troops guarding the borderline used similar calibre weapons and strongly retaliated, triggering fierce exchanges, which continued till midnight on Thursday night, he said. There was no loss of life or injury to any one in the fresh firing.

There was no firing or ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the LoC from 3.15 pm on August 27 to 11.30 pm on August 29.

Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire on August 27 by firing on Indian posts along LoC in Bhimber Gali sub-sector of Poonch district.

There has been almost daily firing and mortar shelling by Pakistani Army in the Poonch-Rajouri sector since August 6 with a total of over 30 ceasefire violations recorded this month.

Six jawans have been killed and 10 injured in ceasefire violations and firing by Pakistan troops on forward posts, civilian areas and patrolling parties along the Indo-Pak border in August.(Courtesy:IBN Live)

26 jawans killed along LoC by Pak in last 3 years.

26 jawans killed along LoC by Pak in last 3 years.

New Delhi | PTI | 26 Aug 2013 :: Twenty six Indian army personnel have been killed in attacks by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir in the last three years, the Lok Sabha was told on Monday.

26 personnel have been killed from 2010 to August 19 this year in attacks by Pakistan Army attacks along the LoC, defence minister AK Antony said in a written reply to a query.

The question on the killing of five Indian soldiers in Poonch sector on August 6 was posed by 22 MPs cutting across party lines.

On the August 6 killings, the minister said a group of specialist troops of Pakistan Army crossed the Line of Control from Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) side and attacked a patrol of Indian troops comprising one NCO and five other ranks.

"In the ensuing firefight, five of our brave soldiers were martyred and one soldier was injured," he said.(Courtesy:Hindustan Times)

Pak opens fire on Indian posts in Ladakh.

Pak opens fire on Indian posts in Ladakh.

NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD | PTI  | 21 Aug 2013 :: Violating the ceasefire yet again, Pakistani troops fired at Indian positions in Shakma sector of Skardu region along the Line of Control (LoC) in Ladakh last night which was retaliated by the Indian side, Army officials said in Delhi on Wednesday.

In Islamabad, Pakistan Army said one of its officers was killed and a soldier was injured in the firing.

“A Pakistan Army officer, Captain Sarfraz, was killed and a soldier was seriously injured due to unprovoked Indian firing,” a Pakistani Army officer said.

Indian Army officials said they have no knowledge about any deaths or injuries on the Pakistani side.

Pakistani Army claimed Indian troops started firing at 11.15 PM on Tuesday and the Pakistani side responded “effectively”. The exchange continued till 2.15 AM today, it said.(Courtesy:The Hindu)

Army foils infiltration bid along LoC in Kupwara.

Army foils infiltration bid along LoC in Kupwara.

File photo: An army soldier takes position during an operation
 in Keran sector in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district to
 prevent infiltration by militants across the border.

SRINAGAR  | PTI | 18 Aug 2013 :: Army on Sunday foiled an infiltration bid by militants near the Line of Control in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir but there was no report of any casualty.

“Alert troops noticed movement of heavily armed militants along the Line of Control in Keran sector of Kupwara at around 2.30 am. The militants were challenged, triggering off exchange of firing between the two sides,” an army official said.

He said the firing lasted for nearly three hours and the militants have apparently crossed the LoC back in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.

“We are not leaving anything to chance and combing operations are going on in the area. So far no recoveries have been made from the scene of the gun battle,” he said.

The official said there were no casualties reported in the operation.

Infiltration has been on the rise since the month of June this year as security officials believe that the handlers of militants in PoK are trying to push in as many ultras as possible to replace the cadres eliminated by security forces.

Army has said it has killed 28 militants in counter-insurgency operations since June 24 this year in Kashmir valley.

Meanwhile, security forces have launched a cordon and search operation this morning in Handwara area of Kupwara, 85 kms from here, following presence of militants in the area, police said.

The search operations were going on till reports last came in, the police said.(Courtesy :The Hindu)

3 jawans, civilian injured in Pak firing.

3 jawans, civilian injured in Pak firing.

Mohammed Parvez, who was injured in Pakistani firing along
 the Kashmir border, receives treatment at the government
medical college hospital in Jammu on Thursday.

JAMMU | Pti | 15 Aug 2013 :: Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing amid rocket and mortar shell attacks on LoC posts injuring three Army jawans and a civilian in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

This is the 11th ceasefire violation in past five days, Army officials said on Thursday.

Pakistani troops opened fire along LoC on several Indian forward posts in Balakote belt of Poonch district from 0630 hours, the officials said.

They fired automatic weapons, rockets and mortar shells in which three jawans received minor injury. They have shifted to hospital.

A shell of 82-mm mortar fired by Pakistan troops fell in Sanjote forward area of Mendhar tehsil resulting in injury to Parvaiz, a civilian, who was shifted to GMC hospital in Jammu.

A rocket fired by Pakistani troops fell and exploded on a cowshed in Basonia village of Mendhar this afternoon resulting in death of a dozen cattle.

Defence Spokesman, Jammu, S.N. Acharya said in a official release that Pakistan Army started unprovoked firing at Indian forward posts in Mendhar sector from 06:30 am.

“Own troops retaliated immediately with heavy calibre weapons,” he said, adding that the firing was on till late in the afternoon.(Courtesy:The Hindu)

LoC killings will delay Secretary-level talks: India.

LoC killings will delay Secretary-level talks: India.

File photo Indian security personnel near the Line of Control,
 Samba sector in Jammu and Kashmir. India on Tuesday told
 Pakistan that upholding sanctity of the LoC was the most
 importan Confidence Building Measure between the two countries.

NEW DELHI | PTI | 13 Aug 2013 :: Pakistan has suggested August 27-28 for the Wullar Barrage meeting between the water and power secretaries and September 16-17 for the Sir Creek issue.

India on Tuesday gave a clear indication that killing of five of its soldiers on LoC by the Pakistan Army will delay the India-Pakistan Secretary-level talks, asserting that dialogue can only proceed in an environment free of violence and terror.

It also asked Pakistan to uphold the sanctity of the LoC, saying it was the “most important Confidence Building Measure” between the two countries.

Pakistan should abide by its publicly-articulated commitment made by newly-elected Prime Minister to seek a relationship of peace, friendship and cooperation with India and should not allow its territory to be used against anti-India activities, an External Affairs Ministry spokesperson said.

He was responding to a query on Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, leading Eid prayers at the famous Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.

Asked about India’s stand over the Pakistani proposal suggesting dates for Secretary-level talks, he said India did receive last month proposals for some Secretary-level dialogue which were to be hosted by Pakistan.

“... For peaceful dialogue to proceed we need an environment free of violence and terror. And certainly what has happened last week doesn’t fit into that. That said there was no timeline for the held definitely to held. We are considering these things and have factored-in all subsequent developments also. We will take a call in due time,” he said.

In its proposal, Pakistan has suggested August 27-28 for the Wullar Barrage meeting between the water and power secretaries and September 16-17 for the Sir Creek maritime boundary issue.(Courtesy:The Hindu)

ARMED FORCES FREE TO RESPOND AS APPROPRIATE: ANTONY.

Armed forces free to respond as appropriate: Antony.

Pak violates ceasefire again

Soldiers on vigil near the Line of Control. Escalating
 border tension, Pakistani troops on Monday violated the
 ceasefire for the fifth time in the last three days by
 targeting forward Indian posts along the LoC in
Poonch district. File photo

JAMMU | VINAY KUMAR | 12 Aug 2013 :: Even as the situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir remains tense in the wake of repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Defence Minister A. K. Antony on Monday said that armed forces were free to respond to the situation "appropriately".

Refusing to answer questions on politics by journalists in Kochi after the launch ceremony of India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, Mr. Antony said that Parliament was in session and he would not reply to any question about his two statements In Parliament on the killing of five Indian soldiers at the LoC in Poonch sector that had created a storm.

He was asked about the situation on the LoC and his directions to the Army after the incident on the LoC. "Armed forces are free to respond to developing situation there (on the LoC) appropriately",' Mr. Antony said.

PTI adds:

Pakistani troops on Monday violated the ceasefire for the fifth time in the last three days by targeting forward Indian posts along the LoC in Poonch district with mortar shells, rockets and small arms firing.

The Indian troops, guarding the borderline, took positions and retaliated resulting in heavy exchanges.

“Pakistan troops opened heavy firing with small arms, mortar shells and rockets on Indian forward posts along LoC in Poonch and Durga Battalion areas around 0150 hours”, Defence Spokesman S.N. Acharya said on Monday.

“It was yet another ceasefire violation by Pakistan”, the Spokesman said, adding the firing took place from 0150 hours till 0600 hours.

There was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the Pakistani firing, Mr. Acharya said.

Pakistani troops fired at 11 posts in Digwar, Mankote and Durga Battalion areas along the LoC in Poonch.

This is fifth ceasefire violation by Pakistan troops in the past three days.

Pakistani troops had fired at Durga Battalion area with small arms firing and mortars along LoC in Poonch around 2150 hours on Sunday night. The firing continued for three hours and Army troops from this side retaliated, he said.

There have been 57 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops this year from January 1 to August 5, which is 80 per cent more than the corresponding period last year.(Courtesy: The Hindu)

India wants Pak to take responsibility for LoC killings.

India wants Pak to take responsibility for LoC killings.

NEW DELHI | PTI | 11 Aug 2013 :: India on Sunday said it wants the Pakistan Government to take responsibility for killing of five of its soldiers on the LoC and asserted that all issues will be factored in “objectively” in dealing with the neighbouring country.

Noting that Pakistan government will remain responsible for any such incidents, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said India has done a “lot more” to contribute to the peace process and insisted that the neighbouring country must take responsibility for the LoC incident.

“The responsibility must rest with the government. Our meeting point is the civilian elected government of Pakistan, not the Pakistan Army or any other agency,” he said.

Referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s statement on killing of five Indian soldiers, Mr. Khurshid rued that there was no indication of acceptance of responsibility for the attack.

“One element is that the regret about what has happened, which has certainly been mentioned. But, there is no indication of acceptance of responsibility.(Courtesy: The Hindu)Read More >>>

Army chief pays tributes to slain soldiers in Jammu.

Army chief pays tributes to slain soldiers in Jammu.

Army soldiers pay tributes to their slain colleagues at
 a wreath laying ceremony in Poonch on Tuesday.

India | Jammu and Kashmir |PTI | 07 Aug 2013 :: Chief of the Army Staff Gen Bikram Singh arrived in Jammu and paid tributes to the five soldiers killed in an ambush near the LoC in Poonch sector, before reviewing the situation on the LoC and the International Border at a high level meeting at headquarters of Army’s 16 Corps at Nagrota.

A special wreath-laying ceremony at headquarters of 26th Division near Jammu Airport was attended by senior Army officials. General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Northern Command, Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra and GOC of 16 Corps, Lt Gen D.S. Hooda were among the officers who received the Army chief and escorted him to a specially decorated spot for the wreath-laying.

Bodies of the five soldiers were carried from Pooch to Jammu and placed at a military formation on Jammu Airport Road. Sources said that all the five bodies were being dispatched for respective residences of the soldiers, four of them in Bihar.

Immediately after the wreath-laying ceremony, where the Last Post was played in a somber ambience, Gen Bikram Singh left for the Nagrota headquarters of the 16 Corps by helicopter. He was accompanied by Lt Gen Chachra and Lt Gen Hooda. Sources said that the Army chief would have a detailed review of Tuesday’s incident of the killing of five soldiers in an ambush near the LoC in Poonch. Latest obtaining security scenario on the International Border in Jammu besides the LoC was being discussed at the high-level meeting, sources said.

Gen. Singh is scheduled to visit Poonch where he would interact with the jawans and the field commanders of 93 Brigade, including the units of 21 Bihar Regiment and Maratha Light Infantry, who suffered the fatal casualties in the ambush referred to among the Army circles as a “professional assault” and “intrusion”. Sources said that Gen. Singh was also likely to visit some outposts in Poonch-Rajouri strip in Jammu. It was not clear whether or not he would be also visiting the headquarters of Northern Command at Udhampur.

Reports awaiting confirmation said that GOC of Srinagar-based 15 Corps Lt Gen Gurmit Singh was also being called to Jammu to attend a meeting with the Army chief. State government officials said they had no information regarding any scheduled meeting of the Army chief with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah or Governor N.N. Vohra but they did not rule out such a possibility before .Gen Singh’s departure for New Delhi in the evening.(Courtesy:The Hindu )