NEW DELHI: A Pakistani military helicopter flew dangerously close to the
Line of Control in Poonch area of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday morning, in a clear violation of mutually-agreed norms, amid continuing heavy cross-border firings between the two countries.
The Army said one of the three Pakistani Mi-17 helicopters flying in a formation along the Gulpur sector at about 9.45am came within 300 metres of the LoC in breach of the bilateral agreement inked in 1991 that "rotary-wing aircraft" will not fly within 1-km and "fixed-wing aircraft" (fighters, bombers and reconnaissance planes) within 10-km of each other's airspace.
"The helicopter soon turned back. There was no firing or hostile action by any side. The matter will be taken up with the Pakistan Army," said an officer.
The 1991 pact ensures there is a buffer zone on both sides of the LoC to prevent accidental escalation of hostilities. But it is also fairly common for both the air forces to fly close to each other's territory to "probe" the rival's air defence measures as well as the "reaction time" needed for them to kick in. The two sides also regularly fly surveillance drones along the LoC, some of which end up being shot down.
As reported by TOI earlier, the Indian Army has killed over 20 Pakistani soldiers and destroyed several posts through punitive fire assaults and guerilla operations along the LoC since January 1 this year. The ongoing cross-border firing, which saw as many as 860 ceasefire violations (CFVs) along the LoC and another 120 along the international border last year, have further intensified after the terror attack on the Sunjuwan Army camp in Jammu left six soldiers and a civilian dead earlier this month.
The two sides are indulging in regular "caliber escalation" in the firing duels, with light field guns, anti-tank guided missiles and heavy 120mm mortars coming into play. India has lost 16 soldiers, apart from BSF personnel and civilians, in over 290 CFVs and terror incidents in J&K this year.
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