Amid Rising Tensions, Pakistan Troops Open Unprovoked Fire Along LoC; Indian Army Retaliates

Amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan following the deadly terrorist attack on tourists in Pahalgam, Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing at multiple locations along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday night, security sources said.

A senior Army official confirmed, “Small arms fire was initiated by Pakistan at several points along the LoC.” The Indian Army, the official added, responded “effectively” to the provocation. No casualties were reported on the Indian side, and further details are awaited.

The incident occurred barely weeks after a Brigade Commander-level flag meeting — the second of this year — was held along the LoC in Poonch on April 10. During that meeting, Indian Army representatives lodged a strong protest over recent ceasefire violations, infiltration attempts, and IED incidents along the border.

In the first such meeting held on February 21 this year, both sides had reportedly agreed to uphold the sanctity of the LoC and adhere to the ceasefire understanding reached on February 25, 2021.

This latest firing episode comes in the backdrop of the recent terror attack in Pahalgam, where 26 people, including one Nepali citizen, were killed. In the days since, two separate encounters have taken place in Jammu and Kashmir — one in Uri and another in Udhampur. The Udhampur encounter on Thursday morning resulted in the death of an Indian Army jawan.

Security forces remain on high alert as tensions continue to escalate along the LoC and within the Valley.