Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire on the International Border (IB) in Jammu's Arnia Sector on Tuesday. It was the first such incident since February 2021 when the two countries renewed their pledge to abide by the 2002 ceasefire agreement.
A Border Security Forces (BSF) spokesman said Pakistani rangers resorted to unprovoked firing on a BSF patrol in the Arnia Sector on Tuesday morning.
"On September 6 morning, the alert BSF Jammu troops gave a befitting reply to the unprovoked firing by Pakistani rangers on BSF patrolling party in Arnia Sector," the spokesman said.
The BSF and Pakistani Rangers held a flag meeting following the skirmish on Tuesday morning. Officials said both sides agreed to maintain restraint on the International Border.
“A coy (company) commander level flag meeting was held between BSF and Pak Rangers at 01.45 p.m. on border. The issue of unprovoked firing was discussed and both sides agreed to exercise maximum restraint on the border. Both sides agreed to respect the existing norms in future. Meeting ended in cordial atmosphere,” the BSF said.
No casualties for India
There was no loss or injury to BSF troops in the exchange of fire, the BSF said.
It's for the first time since February 2021 that Indian and Pakistani exchanges fire on the border.
Guns had fallen silent on the border as well as Line of Control since the two countries renewed their pledge to abide by the ceasefire agreement.
The latest development has posed a threat to the ceasefire agreement between the two countries, agreed upon after the Centre ended J&K's special constitutional status in 2019.
