One day after the ceasefire agreement was violated by the Pakistan Army when its troops crossed over into Indian borders and opened fire along the LoC in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, the Indian Army confirmed on Wednesday that it had reacted "in a controlled and calibrated fashion."
"The situation is under control and is under close observation," said Lt Col Suneel Bartwal, the defence spokesman in Jammu, on Wednesday.
Giving more information, he said, "On Tuesday, there was a mine blast in the Krishna Ghati sector after an incursion by the Pakistan Army across the LoC. It was followed by unprovoked firing and ceasefire violations. Indian troops reacted effectively and in a calibrated way."
Lt Col Bartwal reiterated that the Indian Army continues to be devoted to keeping the LoC peaceful and abiding by the principles agreed upon in the 2021 understanding between the Director Generals of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two countries.
Intelligence sources reported that two Pakistani troops were killed in Indian retaliatory fire. Nazakat Ali, from Charikot Haveli, and Naseer Ahmad, from Nakyal Kotli in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, were identified as the slain soldiers.
Intelligence sources further disclosed that the Pakistan Army started the attack in an attempt to distract Indian forces and create a cover for terrorists to infiltrate. But vigilante Indian soldiers responded quickly.
The Poonch district's mine blast on Tuesday led the Indian forces to retaliate with sporadic fire along the LoC. "At about 1:30 PM, there was firing in the Nangi Tekri region of the Krishna Ghati sector after an explosion," said an official on condition of anonymity.
The incursion by Pakistani troops took place amidst continued counter-terror operations in Kathua, where security personnel have already neutralised two Jaish-e-Mohammed militants. Operations are currently under way to eliminate three more reportedly hiding in the Panjtirthi town bordering the border.
LoC and Border Tensions Since January
Pakistan has been ratcheting up tensions along the LoC as well as the international border with sustained hostilities since the start of the year.
On March 12, a soldier sustained injuries due to sniper fire from across the LoC in the Kalsian area of Rajouri’s Nowshera sector.
Earlier, on February 21, India and Pakistan held a brigadier-level flag meeting in Poonch, during which the Indian side reiterated its commitment to peace but warned that continued hostilities from Pakistan would be met with an appropriate response.
The ceasefire violations have also caused causalities. An improvised explosive device (IED) attack in Jammu's Akhnoor sector on February 11 resulted in the killing of two Indian Army personnel, including Captain Karamjit Singh Bakshi.
Further, exchanges of small-arms fire across the LoC on February 10 and 14 injured two army personnel in Rajouri and Poonch districts. Earlier in February, two other soldiers were hurt in two separate landmine blasts in Poonch.
The renewed ceasefire in 2021 on February 25 after DGMO-level parleys has again faced strain repeatedly at the hands of Pakistan's misadventures.
On February 13, in retaliation against a ceasefire breach by Pakistan in the Bhimber Gali region of Poonch, India responded heavily, causing heavy casualties among the Pakistan Army in the Krishna Ghati region.
An intelligence officer highlighted that Pakistan has been trying to disrupt peace along the LoC by cross-border fire, sniper firings, and IED explosions targeting Indian troops.
To address mounting tensions, Lieutenant General Navin Sachdeva, at that time the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of Jammu-based White Knight Corps, held a security review on February 10 to gauge enemy activities along the LoC in Rajouri.
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