India fires on Pakistan army posts in Kashmir

INDIA announced yesterday it had fired mortars at Pakistani army posts across their disputed border in Kashmir, a rare public disclosure of such a pre-emptive assault against its neighbour.

Troops fired at military camps in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir which were being used to harbour militants, an Indian army spokesman said.

“As part of our counterterror operations, punitive fire assaults across LoC [Line of Control, the de facto border] are being undertaken by the Indian army,” Major-General Ashok Narula told a briefing in New Delhi.

“[A] recent action by our troops in Naushera sector has caused some damage to Pakistani army posts which are supporting infiltrations. This is part of our strategy to counter terrorism,” he said, adding India would “proactively” resist militant incursions.

The army released footage of smouldering bunkers in ruins after being hit by mortar bombs. The date and place of the bombing was not disclosed. Pakistan denied the claims. “Indian claims of destroying Pakistani post along LOC in Naushera Sec and firing by Pak Army on civilians across LOC are false,” Pakistan’s military spokesman tweeted.

The hostile neighbours regularly exchange mortar fire across the Kashmiri border despite signing a ceasefire in 2003. But it is very rare for India to disclose details of its strikes against Pakistan, or release videos as proof of such assaults.