News
Monday, August 12, 2013
Tension on LoC refuses to ease* Pakistan accuses India of attack on posts near Pukhlian in Sialkot sector, at LoC in Nakial sector
* BSF says border guard wounded as Pak Rangers open fire on post in Kanachak
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Sunday accused Indian forces of firing on its border posts in Kashmir and Punjab, where it sparked an “intermittent exchange of fire” between the two sides.
The first of Sunday’s incidents took place near the border close to Sialkot. “Indian Border Security Forces resorted to unprovoked firing on Pakistani Rangers posts near Pukhlian, Head Marala area, in Sialkot sector,” a senior military official, told AFP. “Intermittent exchange of fire continues. No loss reported so far,” added the official on condition of anonymity as he was not authorised to talk to the media. The official said that after the exchange of fire in Punjab, the Indian troops also fired at the Line of Control (LoC) in the disputed Kashmir region.
“Indian troops also resorted to unprovoked firing at LoC in Nakial sector near Kotli,” he said. Indian Defence Minister AK Antony on Thursday hinted at stronger military action along the LoC after Delhi accused Pakistan Army of involvement in a deadly overnight ambush on Monday that killed five Indian soldiers. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tried to ease tensions with India by urging both sides to work swiftly to shore up a 10-year ceasefire threatened by the recent attacks.
But Pakistani military officials on Thursday made fresh allegations of their own, accusing Indian troops of opening fire and seriously wounding a male civilian in the Tatta Pani sector along the LoC. A deadly flare-up along the LoC in January brought peace talks to a halt. They had only just resumed after a three-year hiatus sparked by the 2008 attacks in Mumbai that killed 166 people. India blamed Pakistani militants for the attack.
Meanwhile, the Border Security Force said one Indian border guard was wounded after Pakistan Rangers opened fire on a post in Kanachak, some 40 km southwest of Jammu, the winter capital of Indian-held Kashmir. “It was an unprovoked firing on an international border post from the other side. However, we responded with utmost restraint,” a spokesman of the Border Security Force said. There was no immediate comment from Islamabad.
Tensions along the 740-km LoC rose on Tuesday when an Indian army patrol was ambushed and five soldiers killed in the Poonch region. New Delhi blamed the attack on the Pakistan Army. Islamabad denied involvement. The two armies also exchanged heavy fire on Friday in the Poonch region, Indian authorities said, straining the ceasefire that has largely held on the border since November 2003.
Underscoring Indian worries over renewed unrest in Kashmir, clashes in the Jammu region erupted after a large group of stone pelting protesters unfurled a Pakistani flag, shouting pro-Islam, pro-independence slogans after offering Eid prayers. Three people were killed in the violence on Friday and the situation remained tense with a curfew imposed in six out of 10 districts of Jammu, state officials said.
In an interview on Saturday Foreign Office spokesman Aizaz Ahmed Chaudhry said Pakistan is ready for talks with India at any level for resolution of outstanding issues. He said resumption of dialogue process is imperative for peace and any delay will further complicate matters. The spokesman said it is the responsibility of Indian authorities to provide security to Pakistani consulates and diplomats. He said Pakistan has acted in a responsible manner and India should pursue the same course for lowering of tension. The spokesman also regretted the incident of forced stoppage of Dosti Bus in Amritsar. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk