Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Aug 5: Pakistan troops resorted to major ceasefire violation on the Line of Control (LoC) targeting forward posts of the Indian Army at Shahpur sub sector, about 25 kilometers from Poonch this morning, prompting an effective response from the Indian side. The ceasefire violation by Pakistan broke about 10 days lull on the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri sectors.
Official sources said Pakistan Army started heavy firing on half a dozen forward Indian posts in Shahpur sub sector at 11.30 am using semi automatic and automatic weapons without any provocation. The Indian side retaliated effectively. Exchange of firing between the two sides continued for about half an hour.
Army spokesman Col Manish Mehta said there were no casualties or damage on Indian side in unprovoked firing by the Pakistani troops. He added that the Indian side gave befitting reply to Pakistan firing using similar caliber of weapons.
Sources said effective retaliation by the Indian side brought Pakistan firing to a halt.
“The Pakistan firing was completely unprovoked,’’ they added.
According to sources, there was no infiltration attempt by the militants during ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army. Generally, Pakistan Army resorts to firing in violation of ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan to give cover to the infiltrators.
The ceasefire violation from Pakistan side broke about 10 days long lull on the LoC during which no infiltration attempt was reported on the LoC in twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.
Meanwhile, troops of Rashtriya Rifles and police today busted a hideout of the militants and recovered a large quantity of arms, ammunition and explosives including a cylindrical shaped eight kilograms Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and another 2.5 kg IED from Chhechha forests in Kishtwar district today.
Sources said Army and police had developed specific information about a dump of arms, ammunition and explosives lying in Chhechha forest and launched a massive search operation there. The success was achieved this afternoon when the troops of Rashtriya Rifles and local police made the recoveries and destroyed hideout of the militants.
Recoveries included one AK-47 rifle with one magazine and 148 rounds, one 7.62mm Chinese pistol with three magazines, one eight kg cylindrical shaped IED filled with explosive material, one 2.5 kg IED fitted in a metal box, four Chinese grenades, one RPG rocket, seven UBGL grenades, 15 rounds of .303 rifle ammunition, one Motorola radio set, one 9 volt battery, one electric detonator, one binocular, one combat pattern jacket and letter pads of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit.
The LeT letter pads recovered from the hideout indicated that consignment of arms, ammunition and explosives belonged to Lashkar outfit.
“The recovery is a major blow to LeT outfit,’’ sources said, adding the plot of Lashkar outfit to revive militancy in Kishtwar district has been foiled with busting of the hideout.
After effecting recoveries, Army and police personnel conducted searches in Chhechha forests and surrounding villages but no arrests were made from the spot.
Police party in the operation was supervised by SSP Kishtwar Sanjay Kotwal.
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