Fresh ceasefire violation after DGMO level talks

Barely hours after the Director General Military Operations (DGMO), Pakistan, gave an assurance to his Indian counterpart on the 'hot line'  that it will take  'prompt action' against any move by inimical elements  in the proximity of the line of control and respond to any information shared by the  Indian side in support  of anti terrorist operations fresh exchange of firing was reported along the line of control in Poonch sector late Thursday night.

 According to the ground reports, "Pakistan army had targeted some of the forward Indian posts along the LoC in Poonch sector  with an aim to provide cover fire to a group of infiltrators attempting to sneak inside the Indian side".

In response the Indian side too retaliated the fire in equal measure to prevent any fresh infiltration bid.

According to official sources present on ground zero, "intermittent firing continued in the forward area during the night and stopped around 5.00 a.m".

The DGMO level talks were held on the request of Pakistan DGMO around 5.00 p.m on Thursday.  Around the same time former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee breathed his last in the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. During his term in office he took several peace initiatives to normalise ties with Pakistan but failed to receive positive response from his counterparts.

The timing of the DGMO level talks coincided with the beginning of new innings of former Pakistan cricketer Imran Khan as premiere of Pakistan. He is scheduled to take oath of office on August 18 and aiming for normalising ties with India.

After exchanging pleasantries with his Pak counterpart the Indian DGMO had emphatically stated that infiltration attempts by terrorists were a major cause of concern.

Pakistan DGMO was also informed that ‘these activities have increased in the areas North of Pir Panjal Mountain Ranges.

Indian DGMO had also stressed, "Pakistan must institute measures to prevent infiltration from the launch pads located on its side of the Line of Control".

In response Pakistan DGMO gave an assurance that Pakistan Army would take 'prompt actions' against move of inimical elements in proximity to the Line of Control and respond to information shared by the Indian side thereby facilitating conduct of anti-terrorist operations.

Commander of the Indian Army's Northern Command Lt-Gen Ranbir Singh Thursday visited the forward areas along the LoC in Rajori sector where he met the field commanders and reviewed the security situation and operational preparedness of the Indian troops.