New Delhi:
There have been five ceasefire violations by Pakistan since the flag meeting on Monday but besides the repeated violations of ceasefire, the border along the Poonch and Mendhar sectors in Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing landmine accidents.
Now the Indian Army has released photographs of landmines they say were planted on Indian soil by Pakistani troops. The Northern Army Commander, Lieutenant General KT Parnaik, had said yesterday that this proof was apparently shared with Pakistan at the flag meeting, when Pakistan repeatedly denied all charges of initiating the aggression.
"During the ceasefire violations, they would fire on the pickets and taking advantage of the night, some terrorists have probably come in and they have planted some mines. These were discovered and we have uncovered these mines, they are Pakistani mines. We had shown these to the Pakistani Brigadier who had come (for the flag meeting)," Lt Gen Parnaik had said.
At a 35-minute flag meeting between the two side in Chakan-da-bagh in the Poonch sector yesterday, India lodged a strong protest against ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) and also expressed concern at the barbaric way Pakistani troops treated the bodies of Indian soldiers killed after an ambush last week. (
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During the latest incident of ceasefire violation, two rounds of firing were reported near the LoC within an hour last evening. The Army said Indian troops did not retaliate. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sent out a tough message yesterday, saying that it "cannot be business as usual" with Pakistan.
Pakistan's Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani Khar, has alleged that there is "war mongering coming from across the border." She added that while her country is committed to peace and making relations with India normal, "statements coming in from the highest levels in India, that up the ante, are disappointing."
The Pakistan Army's media arm alleged this morning that Indian troops violated the ceasefire on the LoC and "carried out unprovoked firing" in Hotspring and Jandrot sectors. The firing continued from 10 pm to 11 pm Pakistan time killing one soldier at Kundi post, the statement added.
The tension along the LoC has hit sporting ties between the two countries. Yesterday, a decision was taken to send back nine Pakistani players who were in India to play in the inaugural Hockey India League tournament. This decision was closely followed by reports that the Pakistani women's cricket team is also unlikely to travel to India for the World Cup later this month.
There is uncertainty, too, over the fate of the meeting of Commerce Ministers of India and Pakistan, scheduled later this month. Government sources say that New Delhi is closely watching the situation and will decide on its next step, depending on Islamabad's response. The internal political turmoil in Pakistan is also likely to be a factor, sources have added.