India, Pakistan troops exchange fire on Kashmir Life of Control
Troops of India and Pakistan on Thursday exchanged heavy fire and targeted each other’s positions on the Line of Control (LoC), dividing Kashmir, officials said.
The two sides exchanged fire on LoC in the Shahpur and Kirni sectors of the frontier Poonch district, about 180 km southwest of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
“Today, Pakistan started unprovoked ceasefire violation along the LoC in the Shahpur and Kirni sectors of Poonch by firing indiscriminately with small arms and other weapons,” an Indian army spokesman said. “The alert troops on our side retaliated and gave a befitting reply.”
Reports said the exchange of fire went on for several hours. So far there were no reports of any damage to the India or Pakistani side.
There has been a surge in ceasefire violations on LoC since the beginning of this month and past several days have witnessed a continuous firing along the LoC in several sectors between the two sides.
The troops of India and Pakistan intermittently exchange fire on LoC and International Border (IB) in Kashmir, despite an agreement in 2003 to observe a ceasefire. New Delhi and Islamabad accuse each other of resorting to unprovoked firings and violating ceasefire agreements.
LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan-controlled parts.