LoC violations by Pak continue, more shooting last night
17 Aug 2013
The situation remains tense along the Line of Control with Pakistan in the upper regions of Jammu & Kashmir, as Pakistani troops once again opened fire on Indian positions on Friday night. The shooting continued for around two hours as Indian troops retaliated; but no casualties have been reported yet.
The ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Mendhar and Hamirpur areas of Poonch district is the 12th violation in a week, and the 18th in 10 days.
A senior Army official was reported as saying that Pakistani troops are not just targeting Indian Army posts, but also the villages along the LoC.
On Thursday, Pakistan fired across the Line of Control in the Kargil and Drass sectors of Jammu and Kashmir for the first time in the 14 years since the Kargil mini-war of 1999.
The last two weeks have seen what the Indian Army has describes as the biggest ceasefire violation in recent months. About 28 militants have also been killed while trying to infiltrate into India under the cover of fire by the Pakistani troops in the period months.
Officially, Pakistan continued to make placatory noises. Islamabad said on Friday that it was using the relevant channels, including diplomatic and military talks, seeking tension-free relations with New Delhi.
"It is part of the vision that our Prime Minister (Nawaz Sharif) has articulated for our country and the region. We will continue to pursue the policy of restraint, responsibility and dialogue. We believe that through constructive engagement and uninterrupted dialogue, tensions can be reduced and relations improved," foreign office spokesperson Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said at a weekly press briefing.
India however is increasingly irate, and has reportedly called off talks with Pakistan on various issues, including river water-sharing.
The attacks also put in jeopardy the chances of bilateral exchanges between Sharif and Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York next month.
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