While the Indian Army on Sunday celebrated the 21st anniversary of its victory over Pakistan in the Kargil war of 1999 and paid rich tributes remembering heroes of 'Operation Vijay', the Pakistani Army violated the ceasefire agreement along the line of control in Poonch sector on Sunday.
According to the field reports, Pakistani troops shelled forward areas of Balakote sector in Poonch and also targeted several civilian houses during an intense exchange of firing.
No loss of life and property was reported from the ground zero till the time of filing the report.
Both the frontier districts of Rajouri and Poonch are witnessing regular mortar shelling since last one week. According to local reports, the Pakistani Army was attempting to push small batches of infiltrators inside the Indian territory to launch strikes on the security forces ahead of the first anniversary of Abrogation of Article 370 and reorganisation of the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
Defence PRO in Jammu, Lt-Col Devender Anand said, “At about 3.15 p.m, the Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling mortars along the LoC in the Balakote sector of Poonch district on Sunday”. The Indian Army retaliated befittingly, he said. Meanwhile, different teams of security forces Sunday busted three hideouts in three different places foiling nefarious designs of the terrorists active in the region. One such hideout was busted in Loran area of Poonch
Defence PRO said terrorists plan to target forces thwarted with the recovery of two IED's , In a tweet, PRO Defence, Jammu said, “ a terror hideout busted in Loran, Poonch. Two improvised explosive devices (IED) weighing 5 kgs and 3 kgs were recovered. Terrorists plan to target forces thwarted”.
In Kashmir valley, two similar hideouts were busted in Kupwara and Shopian.
According to a police spokesman, “Kupwara Police and Army busted another module of NacroTerrorism by seizing 01 AK 56, 02 Pistols, 20 Grenades & 10 kg Narcotics. A total number of three individuals were arrested and thorough investigations were launched after registration of FIR's in the case.
On the other hand, the Shopian police and security forces also busted a hideout in orchards of the Dachoo area. 02 UBGL Grenades, 03 grenades, AK-47 Magazine, 20 AK rounds, ICOM Radio Set & other incriminating materials were recovered. Case registered.
Meanwhile, a day after a top Lashkar-e-Taiba commander was killed by security forces in Srinagar Inspector General of Police Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar on Sunday said, “After the killing of LeT terrorist Ishfaq Rashid Khan on Saturday, no resident of Srinagar district in terrorist ranks now”.