Pakistan, India exchange fire at LoC

Army says soldiers respond befittingly to Indian troops


Our Correspondent September 07, 2016
Pakistan strongly denounced what it called grave human rights violations by Indian forces in the disputed Himalayan valley while New Delhi accused Islamabad for stoking unrest in the region. PHOTO: FILE

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani and Indian troops exchanged fire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir on Tuesday as Pakistan marked Defence Day, commemorating its successful defence in the 1965 war with India.

Pakistan Army’s media wing said the Indian soldiers resorted to “unprovoked firing” at Nezapir sector of the LoC – a de facto border that divides Kashmir between the two countries.

The Pakistan troops responded befittingly to the India firing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said. No loss of life was reported in the exchange of fire that started late night and continued till 10am.

This was the second time in four days the two countries traded fire along the LoC amid worsening ties between the two nuclear-tipped neighbours.

On August 14 also, Pakistan had accused India of violating the ceasefire.

The latest skirmishes come at a time when relations between Pakistan and India are already strained by the ongoing violence in Indian-administered Kashmir, which has been in the grip of violence since the killing of popular Kashmiri leader Bhurhan Wani on July 8.

Pakistan strongly denounced what it called grave human rights violations by Indian forces in the disputed Himalayan valley while New Delhi accused Islamabad for stoking unrest in the region.

Apparently upset over Islamabad’s aggressive diplomacy on Kashmir, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi used his Independence Day speech on August 15 to raise the issue of Balochistan.

Last week, army chief General Raheel Sharif also rebuked Modi, saying Pakistan would go to any extent to protect its integrity and sovereignty. 

Published in The Express Tribune, September 7th, 2016.

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