In a second incident of ‘unprovoked’ ceasefire violation by the Pakistani Army in the last three days, an Indian Army jawan attained martyrdom along the Line of Control (LoC) in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district on Monday.
Hitting back, strongly, Indian Army claimed to have caused extensive damage to several forward Pakistani posts and casualties to Pakistani soldiers. These two incidents of ceasefire violations have been reported after a long gap and at a time when Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan is visiting USA.
According to ground reports, “unprovoked firing from the Pakistani side started in Keeri Batal area of Sunderbani early Monday morning”. “Several civilian pockets were targeted by the Pakistani Army during heavy exchange of mortar shelling spreading panic among the local residents. Several houses also bore the brunt of heavy firing in the area.
Ministry of Defence Spokesman based in Jammu, Lt Col Devender Anand in a press statement said, “Pakistan Army resorted to ‘unprovoked’ ceasefire violation on the LoC early Monday morning”.
He said, “Indian Army responded strongly and inflicted heavy damage to Pakistan Army posts and casualties to Pakistan soldiers”. Details of damage is yet to be ascertained, he added.
“In the firing incident, Rifleman Md Arif Shafi Alam Khan Pathan, an army soldier, was critically injured. He was evacuated to Army Hospital by air, where he succumbed to the injuries” Defence spokesman said. Rifleman Md Arif Shafi Alam Khan Pathan, hailed from Village Nawayard, Tehsil Fatehganj District Vadodara, Gujarat and is survived by his parents, father Shafialam Khan Pathan and mother Habiban Banu.