The Pakistani Army continued to provoke the Indian troops along the line of Control in Poonch sector by resorting to use of heavy calibre of weapons and continuous targeting of civilian areas for the sixth consecutive day on Wednesday.
A day after one Indian jawan sacrificed his life while defending the frontiers of the nation, ‘unprovoked’ firing from the Pakistani side continued in Krishna Ghati and Bhimbergali area of Poonch.
The Pakistani guns roared and targeted the forward Indian posts using mortars and automatic weapons. “The Indian jawans retaliated the fire using similar calibre of weapons strongly,” Defence spokesman in Jammu said.
Already nine ceasefire violations have been reported in the area during the last one week and the over all number of ceasefire violations since August 2013 has touched the mark of 150 violations alone, marking the most violent phase of border skirmishes in the region after the ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2003 between India and Pakistan.
At present, the security situation along the loC in Poonch is grim and aggravating with each passing day as Pakistani Army is working as per a strategic game plan to provoke Indian reaction aimed at escalating the tensions in the region.
Due to continuous exchange of fire, the majority of border residents coming in the direct line of fire of Pakistani guns could not celebrate the festival of Eid-ul-Azha fearing for their lives.
Angry residents also blamed the Pakistani Army of not sparing the civilian population on the occasion of auspicious Eid. The local residents also empathised with the martyred jawan of the Indian Army while paying rich tributes to him.
“It is the Indian Army jawans who are sacrificing their lives on the border to ensure we live in peace and harmony but the Pakistani Army is not even sparing the civilians in the border areas and targeting the civilian population,” a villager in worst-hit Balakote area of
Mendhar shared his pain while narrating tales of survival in the face of hostilities along the loC.
In the wake of escalating tension between the two Armies, there was no exchange of sweets and greetings between the officers of India and Pakistan at the loC. The traditional bonhomie was also missing
along the International border in the Jammu region as BSF and Pakistan Rangers avoided sharing greetings and wishing each other.
According to official sources, before ‘unprovoked’ firing started in the Krishna Ghati and Bhimber Gali in Poonch around 10.40 am, Pakistan Rangers had opened fire on the Indian posts in Samba sector along the International border.
Meanwhile, the officers of the Indian Army and fellow soldiers bid adieu to the martyred lance Naik Firoze Khan, hailing from Hyderabad on Wednesday before dispatching his body to his native place for performing the last rites.
Wreaths were laid, on behalf of the Northern Army Commander and General Officer Commanding, White Knight Corps at a solemn ceremony in Rajouri.
General Officer Commanding of the Counter Insurgency Force (Romeo) and the Ace of Spades Division, along with
other Army officials laid wreaths as a mark of honour to the brave soldier.
The troops who had been witness, recounted the incident wherein heavy mortar shelling was initiated by the Pakistani Army on
Tuesday morning, thereafter heavy fire was exchanged intermittently throughout the day. lance Naik Mohd Firoz Khan, who was critically injured during the firing,
was described by his colleagues as a fearless and dedicated soldier.
He did not falter even in the face of heavy firing, while maintaining a steadfast vigil on the loC. The 31-year-old soldier is a resident of Hyderabad and is survived by his wife and two children.