Pakistan troops resort to firing in Akhnoor sector

NEW DELHI : FOUR days after India lodged a protest with Pakistan over cease-fire violations, Pakistani troops at Kanachak sub-sector in Akhnoor of

Jammu district while a group of militants were trying to infiltrate into the country.

The latest cease-fire violation took place along the border came as Republic Day was celebrated across the country. The firing lead to a retaliatory fire by the Border Security Force, according to reports. The heavy exchange of fire lasted for three hours even as BSF foiled an infiltration bid by a group of militants at the same time.

The cross-border firing started as a group of militants attempted to infiltrate the border. They entered the Ulfa Machail border outpost along the international border and were challenged by a BSF patrolling party, according to the BSF. An exchange of fire also took place at Beliazmah border out post in the same sector and the firing continued for nearly one-and-half hours.

There was firing at about 2 am and it continued for few hours. Initially, the intensity was quite huge and later on it died down a bit. We are watching the situation," DGP, Jammu and Kashmir, Kuldeep Khuda was quoted as saying. Troops along the border were put on alert after the firing started from the Pakistani side. The latest attempt is being seen as a bid to push militants into the country. The infiltration attempts have increased even as violence has dipped in Kashmir.

The latest cease-fire violation comes just days after India lodged a strong protest over cease-fire violations and asked Pakistan to ensure that violations are stopped. India had conveyed its concern over the incidents of `unprovoked firing' across the international border.

Over a dozen infiltration bids have taken place along the LoC this year alone. Last week, Pakistani troops opened fire on the Poonch sector in an apparent bid to provide cover for an infiltration attempt. In the diplomatic protest, New Delhi in particular referred to the firing of rockets in the Amritsar sector of the international border in the night of January 8-9, 2010. This was the second incident when rockets were fired from across the border. In September, rockets fell near Wagah.
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