Customary sweet exchange between forces cancelled in Poonch, but held at Attari-Wagah border
When India was drenched in celebrations to mark 70th Republic Day, Pakistan army violated ceasefire and opened indiscriminate firing on the Indian forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Mendhar sector of Poonch district in Jammu division.
Following the provocation, the customary sweet exchange between Indian and Pakistani army was not held at Chakan Da Bagh crossing point along the LoC in Poonch district.
The incident occurred at 10 am when Pakistan army resorted to firing and shelling using small and heavy calibre weaponry in Mankote area of Mendhar sector of LoC.
"At about 10 am, Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation. They fired small arms and mortar shells in Mankote area of Mendhar Sector", said Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand, defence spokesman at Jammu.
Indian army immediately swung into action and retaliated in equal measure to silence Pakistani guns. "Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively. There was no sweets exchange at Chakan da Bagh", he said
However, in neighbouring Punjab, Indian and Pakistani forces exchanged sweets along the Attari-Wagah border. Border Security Force (BSF) had refused to exchange sweets and greetings with Pakistani Rangers at Attari-Wagah border during last year's Republic Day due to heightened tension between the two countries.
Border Security Force (BSF) shot a Pakistani intruder when he infiltrated into Indian Territory at Samba sector of International Border in Jammu division.
Republic Day was celebrated jointly by Indian and Chinese army along the line of actual control at Chushul-Moldo and DBO-TWD meeting points of Eastern Ladakh.
"A ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting (BPM) on the occasion of the 70th Republic Day at Eastern Ladakh. The Indian delegation was led by Brigadier VK Purohit and Colonel S S Lamba while the Chinese delegation was led by Senior Colonel Bai Min and Col Song Zhang Li", said Colonel Rajesh Kalia, officiating defence spokesman at Northern Command.
The ceremonial Border Personnel Meeting commenced with delegation members saluting their respective National flags. This was followed by the ceremonial address. "The address reflected the mutual desires of maintaining and improving relations at the functional level at the borders. Thereafter, a cultural programme showcasing Indian culture and traditions was organised", he said.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Mukund Kumar Jha and Usman Khalid")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}