Pakistan army says Indian troops have increased attacks

Pakistan army said late Wednesday that Indian troops have increased firing on Pakistani areas and targeted civilian populations.

“During last two days, Indian troops have intensified violations and carried out unprovoked firing on working boundary in Pukhlian, Chaprar, Harpal and Charwah Sectors near Sialkot, and targeted civil populated areas,” the Pakistan army spokesman said.

The army spokesman said in a statement that the Indian Border Security Forces also targeted 27 Pakistani posts in the same area in last two days and fired almost four thousand mortar shells and fifty nine thousand rounds of machine guns.

“Pakistani troops have effectively responded to Indian firing,” a statement from the army’s Inter-Services Public Relations quoted the spokesman as saying.

He said during last 2 weeks, due to Indian shelling 2 civilians and a paramilitary soldier has been killed and 26 civilians have been injured on working boundary and LoC.

The army’s statement came hours after India accused Pakistan of heavy shelling at more than 30 locations along the Line of Control (LoC), which divides Pakistan and India in the disputed Kashmir region.

Indian Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde was quoted by Indian TV channels as saying Pakistan will “get a befitting reply,” to the alleged attacks.

Guns had been silent since the two uneasy neighbours had declared a ceasefire in 2003 however troops started exchange of firing in January this year.

Prime Ministers of the two countries met in New York last month and agreed to reduce tensions. They had directed their military officials to meet and explore ways to implement the ceasefire.

However the skirmishes have increased in recent days causing casualties on both sides and escalating tensions.

Both sides accused each other at a time when Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was scheduled to meet President Barack Obama in Washington to discuss regional security besides bilateral relations.

Tension between Pakistan and India, both nuclear powers, is also a matter of concern for the U.S. and other friendly and neighbouring countries. They have always called upon both the South Asian rivals to show restrain and resolve problems through dialogue.

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