SRINAGAR: Two soldiers have been killed after Pakistani troops intruded into this side of Kashmir and attacked an army patrol in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, the army says.
A patrol party of the army came under fire from Pakistani troops who, they say, had crossed the Line of Control (LoC) at Mankote, killing two soldiers and wounding another.
“Pakistan army troops, having taken advantage of thick fog and mist in the forested area, were moving towards our posts when an alert area domination patrol spotted and engaged the intruders,” said Lt Col Rajesh Kalia, PRO (Defence), Northern Command headquarters.
The incident comes just two days after Pakistan accused Indian army of crossing the LoC – which divides Kashmir between the two countries – and raiding their bunker and wounding two soldiers, one of whom later died.
The Indian army has denied the accusations saying it was only responding to an unprovoked Pakistani shelling that destroyed a civilian house.
But Islamabad lodged a strong protest with the Indian High Commission on Monday.
The fresh fire fight between the soldiers continued for approximately half an hour “after which the intruders retreated back towards their side of Line of Control”, Lt Col Kalia said.
Our correspondent, Rifat Mohidin says the incidents are an unusual breach of an almost decade-long ceasefire that has largely held between the two countries, both of which claim Kashmir in full and whose leaders have been focusing on improving bilateral ties.
She says there have been minor ceasefire violations, but many will be keenly watching if these attacks would affect improving ties.
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