Indian army accuses Pakistani troops of violating ceasefire on Kashmir

Indian army on Monday accused Pakistani troops of violating the ceasefire in the disputed Kashmir for fifth time in last three days. "Pakistan troops opened heavy fire using small arms, mortar shells and rockets on Indian forward posts along LoC ", Army Spokesman S N Acharya told media. He said the incident happened on the Line of Control (LOC), defacto border dividing Kashmir into Pakistan and Indian parts, in Poonch sector, some 141 miles west of summer capital Jammu. "It is the fifth ceasefire violation by Pakistan in last three days", the spokesman said, adding, no loss of life was reported. He said that Pakistani troops targeted 11 Indian posts in various sectors of Poonch. Tension has risen between the two nuclear armed nations, India and Pakistan, following an attack on Indian army patrol party along LOC in poonch sector which claimed lives of five soldiers on August 6. India has directly accused Pakistan troops of killing five of its soldiers by crossing the LOC into their territory. A charge vehemently denied by Pakistani authorities. Thereafter, forces of both the countries have exchanged fire on Kashmir border. The incidents of cross border fire in disputed Kashmir have tensed the relation between the two nuclear armed rivals in south Asia with both accusing and counter-accusing each other for ceasefire violations and death of their security forces and civilians. The exchange of fire has also jeopardized the resumption of peace talks between the two countries. Indian opposition and media are pressurizing the government not to talk with Pakistan over the killings and ceasefire violations. India and Pakistan have agreed in 2003 to observe a ceasefire along the international border and LoC in Kashmir. Since then the fragile ceasefire remains in effect between the two countries with occasional reports of its violation. According to human rights organization, the separatist gureillas have waged a war against the Indian rule since 1989 which has claimed lives of more than 70, 000 people.