India, Pakistan armies exchange fire at LOC; high alert along the border

Indian and Pakistani armies exchanged fire along the Line of Control (LoC) at Poonch in Jammu on Wednesday, which prompted strong retaliation from the Indian Army. This comes as two Indian soldiers, including a captain, were killed on Wednesday in an IED explosion triggered by suspected Pakistani infiltrators near the LoC in the Akhnoor sector.

Pakistan army is believed to have suffered casualties in retaliatory fire by Indian troops after a ceasefire violation on the LoC in Krishna Ghati sector, Poonch. According to sources, Pakistani troops initiated unprovoked firing, prompting strong retaliation from the Indian army.

A high alert has been maintained along the LoC and IB amid concerns of infiltration attempts by Pakistan under ceasefire violations. The Army and BSF have intensified their vigil, while police have enhanced patrolling in border areas.

Multiple firing incidents have been reported in Rajouri, Poonch, and Jammu districts over the past week. A soldier was injured by cross-border firing in the Kalal area of the Nowshera sector, Rajouri.

An Army patrol came under militant fire in Rajouri’s Keri sector, suspected as an infiltration attempt. A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was injured after stepping on a landmine while patrolling in the Krishna Ghati sector. 

The GOC of White Knight Corps, Lieutenant General Navin Sachdeva, reviewed "hostile activities" along the LoC in the Rajouri district. Army troops recovered a rusted mortar shell near the LoC in Poonch’s Mankote sector, which experts safely removed.

Security forces remain on maximum alert to thwart any further provocations or infiltration attempts from across the border. 

Rajouri and Poonch have witnessed several infiltrations by militants from Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK). Infiltration from POK is relatively easy into Rajouri and Poonch, compared to north Kashmir’s Baramulla and Kupwara. 

Last year, highly trained militants who infiltrated India carried out a series of attacks across Jammu, resulting in the deaths of many security personnel and civilians. Security was then reinforced in Jammu with additional troops deployed at sensitive areas to thwart attacks by militants.