Indian, Pak troops exchange sweets, gunfire along border

Jammu, Aug 15 (PTI) As Indian and Pakistan troops
exchanged sweets on Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district
on Independence Day, the celebrations were marred by violation
of ceasefire from across the border in Samba sector in J-K.
Led by Mujahid Regiment Commandant Colonel Umar Gul,
Pakistan army officers met Indian counterparts led by Colonel
Cristopher at Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point in Poonch district
and greeted them on India's 65th independence day, army
officials said.
The Pakistani contingent gifted sweets and fruits to the
Indian officials who offered them tea and sweets during the
flag meeting that lasted an hour.
However, the bonhomie along the LoC was marred by
ceasefire violation by Pakistani rangers who indulged in
unprovoked firing on Indian post along International Border
(IB) in Ramgarh belt of Samba sector early on Monday.
Pakistani troops from Imran post resorted to small arms
firing on Ballard forward Border out Post along the
International Border in Ramgarh sub-sector of the district
around 3.45 AM this morning, BSF DIG (G Branch), S Oberoi
said.
"The unprovoked firing continued for 25 minutes. BSF
troops effectively retaliated back," the DIG said, adding that
there was no casualty or injury to any one in the firing on
this side.
"It was a clear case of ceasefire violation," he said,
adding a protest would be lodged with the Pakistan
authorities.

"We have given them sweets and fruits on their
Independence Day yesterday during a flag meeting. But they
have returned the gesture with bullets today on our
Independence Day," Oberoi said.
On Sunday, Indian Army and BSF officers had gifted
sweets to their counterparts at Chakan-Da-Bagh and Octroi
border posts along Indo-Pak border on the occasion of
Pakistan's independence day.