On Independence Day 2019, Indian Army Kills 3 Pakistani Soldiers After Ceasefire Violations in Jammu And Kashmir
The Indian Army on Thursday said it killed three Pakistani soldiers in retaliation to ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
Srinagar, August 15: The Indian Army on Thursday said it killed three Pakistani soldiers in retaliation to ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir. The Pakistani troops resorted to heavy mortar shelling in the forward areas along LoC in Uri and Rajouri sectors. The cross-border skirmish occurred on India's 73rd Independence Day.
"Three Pakistani soldiers were killed in punitive proactive response after ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army," sources told news agency ANI. The Indian Army also rejected the Pakistan Army's claim that five Indian soldiers were gunned down by them. Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Maj Gen Asif Ghafoor admitted that three of their soldiers were killed by the Indian armed forces. PM Narendra Modi Independence Day 2019 Address From Red Fort: Here Are Highlights of His August 15 Speech.
Ghafoor also accused India of increasing firing along the LoC as part of "efforts to divert attention from precarious situation in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir". Tensions between India and Pakistan are at its peak after New Delhi revoked the special status to Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370. Pakistan Suspends Samjhauta Express Services After Article 370 Abrogation From Jammu and Kashmir, But Says Work on Kartarpur Sahib Corridor Will Continue.
Pakistan last week announced its decision to downgrade diplomatic ties with India over New Delhi's move of revoking the special status of Jammu and Kashmir and bifurcating the state. Pakistan also expelled the Indian High Commissioner and suspended bilateral trade with New Delhi. India has maintained that scrapping of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir is an "internal matter".
Earlier this month, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Pakistan continues to commit ceasefire violations on the border, despite repeated reminders by India to adhere to all established norms of humanitarian and military conduct.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 15, 2019 06:52 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).