At least two Pakistani soldiers were killed and some of the Pakistani posts were flattened in a strong retaliatory fire by the Indian Army after it lost one of its jawans in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district on Tuesday.

Fresh hostilities also broke out between the two neighbouring armies in North Kashmir area of Tangdhar Tuesday afternoon. Brief exchange of fire was also reported along the Line of Control in Keran and Macchail sectors of Kupwara. Reportedly, both the armies exchanged heavy artillery fire after a long gap in the region triggering panic among the local population.

This is for the second time, Indian Army resorted to use of Artillery guns to counter aggressive posturing by the ‘beleaguered’ Pakistan Army. In the aftermath of Balakote air strike, India had deployed artillery guns and used them ‘effectively’ to flatten Pakistani posts and other terror infrastructure raised close to the Line of Control.

Last week, Indian Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat, had also issued a stern warning to Pakistan against attempting kargil like misadventure during ‘Vijay Diwas’ celebrations in Drass.

According to ground reports, “Pakistani army initiated ‘unprovoked ceasefire violation in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district around 12.00 p.m on Tuesday using small arms firing”. After some time, Pak army started shelling forward areas using mortar shells. 

Defence PRO, Lt-Col Devender Anand in Jammu said, “Indian army responded ‘strongly’ and ‘effectively’.

He said, in the intense exchange of fire, Indian army caused heavy damage to Pakistan army posts and inflicted casualities to Pakistani soldiers.There was no confirmation about the exact nature of damages caused on the other side of the Line of Control.

Lt- Col Anand said, “in the exchange of fire Naik Krishan Lal attained martyrdom in Sunderbani after he succumbed to his injuries”. 34 year old Naik Krishan Lal  is a resident of  Ghagriyal village in Khour area of Akhnoor. He is survived by his wife Shashi Devi, he added.

On Sunday, three civilians including a 12 day old toddler, along with his mother  had received splinter injuries after Pakistani army resorted to mortar shelling on civilian pockets in Shahpur area of Poonch.

The 12 day old toddler later succumbed to his fatal injuries in the wee hours of Monday. His mother, Fatima Jaan and another villager, Mohd Arif, are currently undergoing treatment at the Government Medical college hospital in Jammu.