ELECTIONS '98
COMMENTARY
SPECIALS
INTERVIEWS
CAPITAL BUZZ
REDIFF POLL
DEAR REDIFF
THE STATES
YEH HAI INDIA!
ARCHIVES

Parts of Kashmir LoC come alive with Pak fire

Indian positions in Kanzalwan and Machal sectors along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir have come under artillery and mortar fire from Pakistani troops in the past two days, a defence ministry spokesman said.

A police spokesman said a woman was injured in village Baghiyal, Poonch sector, in Pakistani firing.

Pakistani troops have been firing air defence guns and automatic weapons since May 19. The spokesman said there was no provocation for the troops to open fire, adding the situation was being closely monitored.

Meanwhile, sources said the Indian troops were moving heavy weapons to forward pickets, in the Mohar area of Uri sector. Night patrolling in Kupwara and Baramulla has also been intensified.

The spokesman said the firing and artillery shelling appeared to be a cover to push in heavily armed militants into Kashmir valley.

The unprovoked firing was a systematic and wilful violation of the understanding reached between the two armies in October 1997, under which both sides had agreed not to resort to firing of mortars and artillery weapons, he said.

Earlier, on May 17 at around 2300 hours, Indian troops had foiled an infiltration attempt. Detecting the movement of a group near the LoC, the troops had engaged it with small arms firing, forcing it to flee back into Pakistan occupied Kashmir.

The spokesman said Pak troops immediately resorted to mortar firing.

The Indian response, he continued, has been 'restrained and appropriate', keeping in view 'the larger interest of maintaining peace along the LoC'.

Since Thursday, no fresh firing has been reported.

UNI, Mukthar Ahmad in Srinagar

Tell us what you think of this report