Pak troops violate ceasefire twice, infiltration bid foiled

Srinagar, Sept 1 (PTI) Pakistani troops violated the
ceasefire twice in Keran sector of Kashmir even as troops
foiled an infiltration bid after exchanging fire with
militants that left a JCO dead, the Army said on Thursday.
"There were two ceasefire violation in Keran sector of
Kupwara district from across the Line of Control since 2000
hours Wednesday," Defence spokesman Lt Colonel J S Brar said.
He said the first ceasefire violation took place at
2000 hours on Wednesday night and the firing from other side
of LoC continued for nearly 50 minutes.
The second ceasefire violation began at 1100 hours on
Thursday and the exchange of fire was continuing till last
reports came in, the spokesman said.
Official sources said the Pakistani troops stationed at
Saheli post opened unprovoked firing at Shalapathri post on
this side of LoC on Wednesday, leaving a soldier injured.
The Pakistani troops fired mortar shells towards Indian
positions which was retaliated.
After a brief lull, Pakistani troops resumed firing
mortar shells towards this side at 11.00 am, the sources said.
The ceasefire violations on Eid day came after troops
foiled an infiltration bid in the same area.
JCO Naib Subedar Gurdayal Singh was killed during the
operation.
Sources said the ceasefire violations from Pakistani side
were apparently aimed at giving cover to militants trying to
infiltrate into Kashmir ahead of snowfall which will close all
the natural passes along the rugged terrain of LoC.
Army had earlier said that militants were desperate to
infiltrate into Kashmir following elimination of several top
commanders of Lashkar-e-Toiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad outfits
during summer.
As many as 13 militants were killed in a failed
infiltration bid in Gurez sector of Bandipora district on
August 20.
More than a dozen infiltration bids have been foiled
along the LoC in Kupwara district last month.