Pakistan again violates ceasefire in Kashmir

Jammu: In the second time in two days, Pakistani troopers resorted to unprovoked firing at the Indian positions on the international border in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba today in the evening even after a flag meeting between the two sides during the day, an official said.

A senior police officer told IANS here that the Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing at the Indian positions on the international border in the district in Jammu region.

"Pakistan Rangers violated the ceasefire agreement firing at Indian positions in Samba sector today evening. Pakistan firing started at 9.15 p.m. and is still going on. Border Security Force (BSF) personnel manning the Indian positions have retaliated the Pakistan firing," he said

Exchange of fire was continuing in the area as of 10 p.m., the officer said.

Pakistan Rangers have violated the bilateral ceasefire agreement on the international border in Samba district second time in less than 48 hours.

Ceasefire was violated by Pakistan troopers in the same district on Tuesday as well, and was returned by the Indian border guards.

Pakistan Rangers "resorted to unprovoked firing" in Suchetgarh area in Samba district Tuesday afternoon, a BSF official told IANS here.

"The firing by Pakistan Rangers started around noon and continued for 15 minutes," the officer said. "They used automatics and light weapons. Our troops responded with equal calibre weapons."

To ensure visibility during patrolling on the international border, a flag meeting was held Wednesday between BSF officials and the Rangers on zero line at border out post (BOP) Ballar Forward in Ramnagar sector of Samba.

The Indian side was represented by Deputy Commandant R K Triparthi of 126 battalion along with four other officers, while Pakistan side was represented by Lt Colonel Javed. The main objective of the flag meeting was to remove the wild bushes throughout the zero line and the adjoining areas to improve visibility during patrolling.

During the flag meeting, BSF officials also raised the issue of Tuesday's firing by Pakistan rangers at Indian positions, but they denied having violated the ceasefire agreement.