Indian Defence Ministry Accuses Pakistan of Fresh Ceasefire Violation in Kashmir

New Delhi (Sputnik): The Indian Army has claimed that Pakistan has yet again violated the ceasefire and initiated shelling along the line of control (the de-facto India-Pakistan border) on Wednesday. As per the statement, firing has remained underway in the Nowshera sector along line of control since Wednesday morning.

"Today at about 1030 hours (Indian Standard Time), Pakistan again carried out heavy shelling with artillery and the firing of small arms along the LoC in the Nowshera and Sunderbani Sectors," the Indian Army said on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Pakistan also initiated an "unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling with mortars", firing small arms along the LoC in Nowshera Sector. However, there was no immediate report of any casualty on the Indian side, the army added. The Indian army also said that two terrorists affiliated with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen had been killed in a gunfight with security forces in southern Kashmir's Tral town.

Earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan's army claimed that the situation along the line of control remained relatively calm. "Indian Army fired in Hot Spring Sector, deliberately targeting the civilian population. As a result, a citizen, Sharafat, age 26 years, a resident of the village Dara Sher Khan was injured. Pakistan Army troops effectively responded to Indian posts undertaking the fire," the Pakistan Army claimed.

Pakistan added that its navy has remained vigilant. On Monday, Pakistan claimed that Indian troops opened fire in Neza pir, Pandu, Khanjar Munawar, Battal and Baghsar Sector, along the line of control. On Sunday, a Pakistani soldier was killed in the exchange of fire in Nikyal Sector.

The two sides have engaged in massive shelling and an exchange of fire since tension erupted following the 14 February terrorist attack in Pulwama in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Air Force had conducted a preemptive non-military air strike on 26 February against alleged terrorist targets in Balakot, located inside Pakistan. On 27 February, the two air forces had clashed, and shot down a fighter jet each.