A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was killed in “an unprovoked ceasefire violation” by the Pakistani Army in Rajouri district of Pir Panjal on Wednesday. The Pakistani side also opened a new front by shelling in north Kashmir’s Gurez sector, close to the Drass sector of Ladakh.
Drass is the only road link connecting the Kashmir Valley with Ladakh and it was very volatile during the 1999 Kargil war.
An official said the officer of the rank of Naib Subedar, a resident of Punjab, was hit by sniper fire from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Keri Sector of Rajouri during the intervening night of September 1-2.
“The Indian Army gave a befitting response,” an official said.
Second casualty
This is the second such casualty in the past four days in Rajouri. Pakistan’s sniper fire from across the LoC killed a JCO in the Nowshera Sector on August 30.
In cross-LoC shelling and small arms firing, the Pakistani Army opened a new front in the Gurez sector, first time since February 3 this year. An official said it started shelling Bagtore and Tarabal areas around 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday and continued shelling till 10.30 p.m.
“A total of seven structures, which included five houses and a building of a government school, were partially damaged. A shell damaged the ceiling of the school too”, a senior official said. The Indian Army also responded “in equal measure”, officials said.
Deputy Commissioner of Bandipora, Owais Ahmad, told The Hindu, “The local officers have been directed to keep concrete bunkers ready for any evacuation in case of further shelling. Blankets have also been stocked up. Relief is being provided to the damaged private house through the Red Cross. An assessment of the damage have already been undertaken.”
An Army spokesman said the Pakistan also violated the ceasefire agreement along the LoC in Poonch’s Kirni and Qasba Sectors around 6:45 p.m and fired from small arms and mortars.
“The Indian Army gave a befitting reply,” he added.
