LoC shelling: Indian army targeted UN vehicle, says Pak
India refutes, says Pak army targeted areas in Poonch
Islamabad: The Pakistan Army on Friday accused the Indian Army of “deliberately” targeting a United Nations Military Observers (UNMO) vehicle in the Chirikot Sector along the Line of Control, an allegation dismissed by India as untrue.
The Indian Army resorted to unprovoked fire in the Chirikot Sector of the Line of Control. “Indian troops deliberately targeted a United Nations vehicle with two UN military observers on board,” the Pakistan Army said in a statement.
While the vehicle was damaged, the two UNMOs luckily remained unharmed, it said.
Military sources in New Delhi rejected the allegation by the Pakistan Army.
Reports of targeting the UN vehicle are not true, they said.
India maintains that the UN Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), established in January 1949, has outlived its utility and is irrelevant after the Simla Agreement and the consequent establishment of the Line of Control.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan army opened heavy fire and shelled forward posts in two sectors along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, officials said.
Indian troops retaliated befittingly, they said.
“At 1740 hours today, the Pakistan army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and intense shelling with mortars along the LoC in Mendhar and Balakote sectors in district Poonch,” defence spokesman said.
The LoC has witnessed heavy firing and shelling during the last few weeks, resulting in an increased number of casualties and triggering a fear psychosis among the residents of border areas.
On December 1, the Pakistan army violated the ceasefire by shelling forwards posts in Rajouri sector along the LoC. A BSF sub-inspector was killed in the shelling.
On November 27, two soldiers of the Indian Army were killed when Pakistani troops opened heavy fire and shelled forward posts in Sunderbani sector in Rajouri district.
On November 26, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) of the Army was killed and a civilian critically injured in shelling by Pakistani troops in Kirni and Qasba sectors of Poonch. (PTI)
