Amid rising tensions, ceasefire violations along LoC continue

Srinagar, Apr 28: Pakistani troops continued to violate the ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC), opening unprovoked fire in Poonch and Kupwara districts for the fourth consecutive night, Army officials said on Monday.

The latest round of firing occurred during the night of April 27-28, with Pakistani Army posts initiating small arms fire across the LoC, targeting Indian positions. Indian troops responded "swiftly and effectively," the officials said, adding that there were no immediate reports of casualties.

The ceasefire violations come amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following last week's terror attack in Pahalgam, which left the nation outraged. Earlier, Pakistani forces had also resorted to unprovoked firing on the nights of April 24, 25-26, and 26-27, all of which drew a measured but firm response from Indian troops.

Following the Pahalgam attack, India last Wednesday announced a series of punitive measures against Pakistan, including the suspension of the 65-year-old Indus Waters Treaty, closure of the Attari land border crossing, and expulsion of Pakistani military attachés. In retaliation, Pakistan on April 24 shut its airspace to Indian airlines and suspended trade ties with New Delhi, including trade routed through third countries. Islamabad also dismissed India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that any attempt to halt Pakistan's entitled water flows would be considered an "act of war." Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing the nation on April 26, vowed that those responsible for the Pahalgam attack would be relentlessly pursued. "We will track, identify, and punish every terrorist and their supporters to the ends of the earth," he asserted. The situation along the LoC remains tense, with both sides maintaining heightened alert levels amid the escalating diplomatic and military standoff.