Pakistan again violates ceasefire along LoC in Poonch

NEW DELHI: Days after its troops resorted to an inhuman act beyond any norm of civility by mutilating bodies of Indian soldiers, Pakistan violated ceasefire on Wednesday in Mendhar sector of Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir. No loss of life or damage has been reported in the firing that started around 2:45 am. Pakistan had broken the ceasefire in the same sector on 8^th and 19th^th of last month, in Poonch district on April 5, in Bhimbher Gali (BG) sector on April 4 and twice on April 3 in Balakote and Poonch sectors. There were four violations of the ceasefire along the LoC in Poonch in March. In 2016 there were 228 instances of ceasefire violation along the LoC, while there were 221 instances of ceasefire violation along the International Border. In an "unsoldierly" act, bodies of two Indian soldiers were mutilated by the Pakistan Army which violated ceasefire along the Line of Control in Poonch sector on Monday. The Indian Army vowed an "appropriate" response to the "despicable act", which significantly took place a day after Pakistan army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa visited some areas along the LoC and promised support to the Kashmiris. The Indian Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) Lieutenant General AK Bhatt had spoken to his Pakistani counterpart on Tuesday and condemned mutilation of soldiers. “Mutilating bodies of soldiers is dastardly and inhuman act beyond any norm of civility. The act invites unequivocal condemnation and response,” newsagency PTI quoted The Director-General of Military Operations as saying. "Pak army carried out unprovoked rocket and mortar firing on two forward posts on the line of control in Krishna Ghati Sector. Simultaneously a BAT action was launched on a patrol operating in between the two posts. In an unsoldierly act by the Pak Army the bodies of two of our soldiers in the patrol were mutilated. Such despicable act of Pakistan Army will be appropriately responded," Indian Army had said in a statement.