Pakistan violates ceasefire in Jammu region

There was unprovoked firing Wednesday night by Pakistan troops at Indian positions on the line of control (LOC) in Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir, barely two days ahead of the Prime Ministers of India and Pakistan meet in New York.

A defence spokesman told IANS, "Pakistan troops again resorted to unprovoked firing at our positions using small arms and automatics in Bhimbar Gali area of Rajouri last night. Pakistan firing started at 8.40 p.m. yesterday (Wednesday). Our troops responded with same calibre weapons and till last reports came in, the firing exchanges were still going on in the area."

India has been accusing Pakistan of violating the bilateral ceasefire agreement, which was signed by the two nuclear powered South Asian neighbours in November 2003. The ceasefire agreement had brought in a modicum of normalcy into the lives of thousands of people living close to the borders in Kashmir.

Frequent violations of the ceasefire agreement by Pakistan, especially since the beginning of this year, have already forced many families flee with their livestock for safer locations. Farmers living close to the LOC have been saying their venture into their fields has also become highly risky because of the firing exchanges between the two countries.