4 security forces personnel among 10 killed in Pak ceasefire violations; India retaliates

Four security forces personnel were among 10 people killed in multiple ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) from Gurez to Uri sectors of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

Srinagar-based defence spokesman Col Rajesh Kalia said Pakistan used mortars and other weapons, and deliberately targeted civilian areas. The troops retaliated strongly, causing causalities and substantial damage to Pakistan Army's infrastructure across the LoC, he said.

Indian Army sources revealed that that at least eight Pakistan Army soldiers were killed in retaliatory firing by Indian Army. According to news agency ANI, Indian Army sources said those killed in the retaliatory firing include two-three Pakistan Army Special Service Group (SSG) commandos.

Videos shared by the Indian Army showed several Pakistani posts across the Line of Control being destroyed. Anti-tank guided missiles and rockets were seen hitting the Pakistani bunkers in t he video.

A video showed Pakistani soldiers running to safety as an anti-tank guided missile is seen fired at a bunker.

According to Army sources, 10-12 Pakistan soldiers were injured in the Indian Army firing. A number of Pakistan Army bunkers, fuel dumps and terrorist launch pads across the LoC were destroyed and set on fire, they said.

Three Army personnel, a BSF sub-inspector and six civilians were killed in Pakistani action while four security forces personnel and eight civilians were injured. "Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation along the LoC spread across multiple sectors to include Dawar, Keran, Uri and Naugam. Three Indian Army soldiers have been killed in action and three soldiers injured," Col Kalia said, adding the nation salutes their supreme sacrifice.

A defence official in Jammu said Pakistani troops violated ceasefire twice in Poonch district. "Around 13.45 and 14.45 hours today, Pakistani army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars along LoC in sector in Sawjian in Poonch," he said, adding Indian troops retaliated in a befitting manner.

This was the second infiltration attempt within a week. The earlier unsuccessful bid in Machil sector during the intervening night of November 7- 8 was foiled in which three militants were killed.

Political leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, condoled the casualties and saluted the bravery of the soldiers.

“Whenever Pakistan indulges in ceasefire violation, its fears and weaknesses become even more clear. Far from their families even during the festival, the soldiers of the Indian Army are protecting our country and demolishing Pakistan's disgusting plans. My salute to every soldier of the Army," Gandhi said in a tweet.

Expressing grief and sorrow over the killings, senior National Conference (NC) leaders Choudhary Muhammad Ramzan, Nazir Gurezi, Sajjad Uri, Qaiser Jamsheeed Lone and Qafilul Rehman, in a joint statement, said whenever borders are lit up and tensions soar between the two countries, it is the people living along the LoC and the border who bear the brunt.

Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference chairman Sajad Lone also condemned the shelling, saying it was modern-day barbarism. “Shelling yet again claims innocent lives in Uri, Tangdar and Poonch. No words r enough to condemn this modern day barbarism. Hope the administration of the day provides relief to the affected families. My prayers with the hapless inhabitants of these areas. May sanity prevail (sic),” he tweeted.

According to official data, Pakistan has resorted to 4,052 incidents of ceasefire violations in the current year as against 3,233 in 2019.

Notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic in the region, Pakistan has been resorting to unprovoked ceasefire violations along the LoC and making concerted efforts to push militants into Kashmir.

Pakistani hostilities increased after India announced its decision to withdraw the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and divide the state into two union territories in August last year.

Meanwhile, Pakistan summoned a senior diplomat from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad to register its protest over the alleged ceasefire violations by the Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC).

(With inputs from PTI)