Line of Control: Army lodges protest against ceasefire violation

Protest lodged after Indian troops resorted to ‘unprovoked firing’ at Bhattal sector of LoC, say military officials.

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan Army lodged a protest with Indian authorities on Sunday over what it said was another violation of ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC).

According to military officials, the protest was lodged after Indian troops resorted to ‘unprovoked firing’ after midnight at the Bhattal sector of the LoC.

“Indian troops fired small arms and launched mortars, which prompted Pakistani troops to respond effectively,” a military official said. “No loss of life or damage to property has been reported so far.”

This was the third ceasefire violation in the last three weeks. The two armies accused each other of breaching the 2003 ceasefire agreement on April 25, breaking almost three months of calm in the disputed region of Jammu and Kashmir.  Three days later, the two sides exchanged fire again. Although, no loss of life was reported from either side during the latest clashes, the situation indicates the fragile nature of the truce.

The latest clashes come at a time when India is in the midst of parliamentary elections. Pre-election forecast puts Narendra Modi of hardline Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as the frontrunner. Critics fear Modi’s victory may not auger well for the peace process between Pakistan and India. The BJP candidate has taken a tough line on Islamabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 12^th, 2014.