Pak, Indian armies exchange fire at LoC; 2 killed

In a major ceasefire violation, the Pakistan army on Thursday night fired mortar rounds at the Indian positions in the Keran sector, along the Line of Control in north Kashmir.

A defence spokesman said, "Fourteen mortar rounds were fired at our positions in the Keran sector of the LoC in north Kashmir's Kupwara district last night".

This is the first major violation of the ceasefire along the LoC this year even though four minor violations have taken place earlier.

"Our troops retaliated with small arms and during the search of the area, bodies of two terrorists were recovered, along with arms and ammunition," Lieutenant Colonel J S Brar told rediff.com.

He said that an identity card of the Pakistan army was also recovered from one of the terrorists.

Two bags carrying two AK assault rifles, nine magazines, 290 rounds, an under barrel grenade launcher, two radio sets and a map were also recovered from their possession, Brar said.

In addition, a mobile phone with an Indian SIM card was also recovered from the scene, Brar said.

Taking serious note of the ceasefire violation, the Army has decided to lodge a strong protest with their Pakistani counterparts and has sought a flag meeting, he added.

"The intention of mortar firing was to push the armed militants into the valley," he added.

This is the second infiltration bid which was successfully foiled by the troops. On Thursday, the army troops shot dead a militant who was attempting to infiltrate from nearby Tangdhar sector, 160 kms from Srinagar.