An Indian Army soldier was killed in alleged ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Rajouri district, Hindustan Times reported.
The Pakistan Army fired mortars indiscriminately and without any provocation in Pukherni, around 700 metres inside Indian territory, defence spokesperson Colonel NN Joshi said. “Rifleman Bikas Gurung, who was grievously injured in the exchange of fire, died soon afterwards,” he told reporters. “Aged 21 years, he belonged to Khunka Khuki village in Manipur. He is survived by his mother Beana May Gurung.”
An unidentified Army official told PTI that the ceasefire violation on the day of Eid-ul-Fitr was highly unethical and unprofessional. The Indian troops exercised maximum restraint despite the provocation, he added. The Army cancelled the exchange of sweets with Pakistani troops at the Wagah border in Punjab.
This alleged ceasefire violation occurred three days after suspected Pakistani soldiers killed four Border Security Force personnel and injured three along the International Border in the Chamliyal sector.
Last month, the directors general of military operations of the two countries agreed to implement measures to ensure peace along the Line of Control and the working boundary. They decided to implement the ceasefire understanding of 2003 “in letter and spirit”, and ensure that the agreement is not violated.
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