Four ceasefire violations by Pak troops along LoC: Army

Pakistani troops have resorted to four ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Keran and Macchil sectors in Kashmir, army said today.

"Four ceasefire violations have been reported from Keran and adjoining Macchil sectors along the LoC since Thursday afternoon," defence spokesperson Lt Colonel JS Brar told PTI.

There were no casualties in the firing incidents, he said, adding that Indian troops exercised restraint and did not retaliate.

The spokesperson said Pakistani troops opened "unprovoked" firing on Indian army position along the LoC in these two sectors, which have emerged as favoured routes for infiltration of militants into Kashmir.

"The latest violation took place this morning while three incidents of firing from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were resorted to since yesterday afternoon," Lt Col Brar said.

"However, our troops exercised restraint and did not retaliate," he added.

With the latest incidents of firing, the number of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in Keran and Macchil sectors has gone up to six in the past three days. In the first major violation of ceasefire this year, an Indian junior commissioned officer (JCO) and three Pakistani soldiers were killed when troops from the two sides traded heavy gunfire between August 30 and September one in Keran sector.

The violation took place barely a few days after the army foiled a big infiltration bid in Gurez sector of nearby Bandipora district.

Thirteen militants and an army officer were killed in the operation in Gurez sector that lasted five days, starting August 20.