Poonch, Jammu: For the first time since the Kargil war of 1999, Pakistani forces fired across the Line of Control in the Kargil and Drass sectors yesterday. Sources say this indicates Pakistan's attempt to 'reactivate' the entire Line of Control with crossfire. Against the backdrop of incessant firing between Pakistani and Indian troops at the Poonch district, the Indian Army today said 28 terrorists had been killed in the past 2 months while trying to cross over to India.
Pakistani forces fired across the Line of Control in the Kargil and Drass sectors on Thursday, 14 years after the Kargil conflict of 1999. Top Defence sources see this as a major indication that Pakistan wants to widen the conflict.
There have been 17 ceasefire violations at the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, mostly in the Poonch and Mendhar sectors, since the killing of five Indian soldiers in a Pakistani ambush on August 6.
In the past 48 hours, India has retaliated with massive firepower including hundreds of rounds of mortars, rocket launchers and heavy machine guns.
India fought back strongly after three Indian soldiers and some civilians were injured in indiscriminate Pakistani firing at the Balakote sector in Poonch. Army sources said they wanted to convey to Pakistan India's intention to protect its borders "in no uncertain terms."
The army claims in the last two months, 28 terrorists have been killed while they were trying to cross over to India. A huge cache of arms including over a dozen AK 47 rifles, grenades and pistols were found on them.
Army operations revealed that older militants are being pushed into the Valley in a bid to revive militancy after a dip in the past two years. Syed Kasim Shah, one of the militants killed on Wednesday at the Kupwara district, had an identity card that said he was born in 1958. (read)
In the past fortnight, 15 militants have been killed while the army battled increased attacks from Pakistan, in what was seen as the biggest threat to the decade-old ceasefire in recent times.
Yesterday, as India celebrated its Independence Day, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh sent Pakistan a stern message, saying it must prevent use of its territory for any anti-India activity for any improvement in ties.
President Pranab Mukherjee also said India's patience had limits and all steps necessary to ensure internal security and protect the territorial integrity of the nation would be taken. (read President's Independence Day address)
Defence Ministry sources say that they expect Pakistan's Army to step up hostilities at the border with general elections in India just months away.
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