File pic of Indian soldiers patrolling the border
Massive exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops went on overnight across the Line of Control in Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir, and continues in some sectors after India retaliated strongly to firing that injured three soldiers on Thursday.
Sources say the Indian Army fired back after Pakistani troops opened indiscriminate fire at Indian posts in Poonch on Thursday morning, injuring three jawans and some civilians. This was the 10th instance of ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the last one week.
Army sources said the strong response is aimed at conveying "in no uncertain terms India's intention to protect its borders".
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, while delivering his Independence Day address on Thursday, had sent Pakistan a stern message saying it must prevent use of its territory for any anti-India activity for any improvement in ties.
The Pakistani forces began firing along the Line of Control (LoC) in Balakote belt of Poonch from 7.30 am on Thursday. They reportedly fired from small arms and automatic weapons and also resorted to mortar shelling.
The Army retaliated in equal measure, resulting in heavy exchange of fire on both sides. The injured jawans, sources say, could not be evacuated due to the intense firing. One Army porter who had also sustained injuries has died.
Firing was also reported in Mendhar sub-sector of Poonch district on Wednesday night.
In a separate incident, the Border Security Force (BSF) said on Thursday that it had foiled an attempt by a Pakistani Border Action Team (BAT) to attack a forward post along the Line of Control.
Surveillance equipment detected the Pakistani team approaching the post in Krishnagati sub-sector in Poonch at around 11:30 pm on Wednesday. Alert jawans of BSF's 135 battalion, manning the post, fired back, resulting in the BAT team escaping towards the Pakistani side.