ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Indian troops exchanged fresh fire across the Line of Control (LoC) on Monday after Indian Border Security Force (BSF) provoked retaliation – following an overnight terrorist raid on an Indian army camp in which one soldier was killed.
No casualties were reported in the latest skirmish – which came five days after India said its troops had crossed the border to carry out ‘surgical strikes’ across the LoC – a claim Pakistan denied.
“Indian troops yet again resorted to unprovoked firing after midnight at the LoC in Iftikharabad sector and Pakistani troops befittingly responded,” Pakistan’s military said in a statement, adding the exchange ended in the morning. It said troops also responded to unprovoked Indian firing in Nezapir and Kailer sectors.
“There is a big civilian population around the camp because of which we could not go all out. Otherwise there would have been civilian casualties. They took advantage of the darkness and used civilian houses as a shield to escape,” the military said.
Indian-Held Kashmir’s (IHK) Police Chief Danish Raja said that up to five people were wounded at two sites along the LoC. “There was a ceasefire violation in Sawjian and Shahpur in Poonch sector. Five people have been injured. One has minor injuries and four with substantial injuries,” he said.
Tensions have been high in the region since the killing of a young Kashmiri separatist in July – which was followed by weeks of imposed curfew and deadly protests in IHK.
