Srinagar: The Pakistan Army violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LOC) in the Leepa Valley of Jammu and Kashmir on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday, sources have confirmed.
Pakistan used small arms and mortars to target Indian posts. Indian forces gave a befitting reply to the unprovoked firing by Pakistan, officials said.
This is the first time since Pakistan has violated the ceasefire along the LOC after Operation Sindoor concluded on May 10.
India had launched the operation on March 7 after the April 22 terror strike in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, led to the deaths of 26 people, mostly tourists from across the country.
The four day military operation brought Pakistan to its knees and it appealed for a ceasefire on May 10. India agreed on condition that there would be no further firing or provocation from Pakistan. Since then, India’s political and military leadership has sent out a strong message that any attempt by Pakistan to aggravate the situation will result in retaliation that will surpass Operation Sindoor.
Leepa is a 9 km high-altitude valley that runs through the Kazinag Spring and has long been a key staging post for infiltration attempts. Officials believe that this is a last ditch effort by Pakistan to facilitate the movement of terrorists across the LOC before the snow blocks all routes.
There were reports of a ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the Poonch sector in August. The Army had denied the reports then.
“There have been some media and social media reports regarding ceasefire violations in the Poonch region. It is clarified that there has been NO ceasefire violation along the Line of Control,” the Army said in a statement.
Operation Sindoor was a major setback for terror outfits operating out of Pakistani soil. In the early hours of May 7, India launched precision strikes on nine terror facilities in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Unlike during Operation Balakot and the Surgical Strikes, India had visual evidence of the damage caused to the terror facilities after Operation Sindoor.
There was extensive damage and at least 100 terrorists were killed. Images and videos of their funerals being held with full state honours were also circulated widely.