Sharpshooters of Pakistan army on Monday evening targeted one of the forward Indian posts in Mendhar sector of Poonch, killing a jawan and grievously injuring another in a sniping incident.
Fresh sniping attack from the Pakistani side followed in response to a strong 'retaliatory' strike carried out by the Indian army inside Pak territory to avenge the killing of Indian soldiers earlier.
According to unconfirmed reports, "at least two Pakistani troopers were killed and five others received critical injuries in heavy firing from the Indian side on Sunday".
According to Ministry of Defence spokesman in Jammu, Lt Col Devender Anand, "at about 5.15 p.m on Monday Pakistan army resorted to an 'unprovoked' ceasefire violation in Krishna Ghati sector of Mendhar tehsil in Poonch in which one soldier attained martyrdom while another received critical injuries."
The deceased soldier was identified as Lance Naik Antony Sebastian KM while injured soldier was identified as Havildar Mari Muthu D. According to Defence PRO, Lance Naik Antony Sebastian KM, aged 34, hailed from Ernakullam district of Kerala and is survived by his wife.
This is the fourth incident in a row in which Indian army has lost its third soldier while one civilian porter attached with the Indian army had earlier succumbed to his fatal injuries on Friday in Akhnoor sector.
Meanwhile, situation continues to remain grim along the line of control as there has been no let up from the Pakistani side in 'provoking' the situation. According to Defence PRO, "Indian army too retaliated strongly and effectively targeting Pakistani posts on Monday evening".
Earlier, commenting on the repeated incidents of sniping along the line of control, Indian army Chief General Bipin Rawat had told reporters in Pathankot, "sniping has been a regular affair. We have got to make sure our drills are good and we don't give them the opportunity.We also have a snipers ready to snipe at him (adversary) and why just snipers, we should be able to hit him harder".
General Rawat also claimed, "Indian army is continuously engaging the 'adversary' and hitting back in equal measure".
He said there is lot happening from our side also but we don't want to blow a trumpet unnecessarily.
Whenever he (Pakistan) is doing something it is a reaction to something. He doesn't take the initiative. He also knows that we are strong and we can take very strong action, he added.