Pakistani forces resorted to unprovoked firing across eight forward sectors along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir overnight, in a fresh breach of the ceasefire agreement. Indian forces retaliated promptly, officials confirmed on Monday.
This marks the eleventh consecutive night of such violations by Pakistani troops, intensifying regional tensions following the 22 April terror attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives.
"During the night of May 4 and 5, Pakistan Army posts resorted to unprovoked small arms fire across the LoC in areas opposite Kupwara, Baramulla, Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Naushera, Sunderbani, and Akhnoor in J-K," a defence spokesperson in Jammu stated.
"The Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately," the spokesperson added.
The fresh hostilities began with small arms fire from Pakistani posts targeting Indian positions in Kupwara and Baramulla districts of north Kashmir. The skirmishes swiftly expanded to Poonch and Akhnoor in the Jammu region, subsequently spreading to Sunderbani and Naushera sectors of Rajouri district.
Later, the Pargwal sector along the International Border in Jammu also witnessed firing, making it one of the most widespread flare-ups in recent months.
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The ongoing ceasefire violations are particularly concerning in light of a hotline conversation held on 29 April between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of both nations. During the call, the Indian side is understood to have cautioned Islamabad regarding repeated breaches.
Tensions have spiked since India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty on 24 April, days after the Pahalgam terror strike. Pakistan retaliated by closing its airspace to Indian carriers, halting trade, and shutting the Wagah border crossing.
Further exacerbating hostilities, Pakistan declared that any attempt by India to withhold water under the Indus Waters Treaty would amount to an “Act of War.”
The ceasefire pact agreed upon in February 2021 now appears to be in tatters, with repeated violations across scores of sectors along the 740-kilometre LoC.
India and Pakistan had reaffirmed their commitment to the 2003 ceasefire agreement during the 2021 dialogue between their respective DGMOs. That understanding had brought relative calm to the region until the recent upsurge in violence.
India shares a 3,323-km border with Pakistan, comprising three distinct segments: the 2,400-km International Border (IB), the 740-km LoC, and the 110-km Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) that divides the Siachen Glacier.
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