Brigadier hurt as Pak troops fire at Indian posts in J038;K

It is still unclear whether the firing was part of a mission to push in insurgents across the LoC or was targeted towards the Brigadier who was visiting the forward posts as part of his regular duties to monitor battalions under his command.

Sources said at 6.37 pm the Pakistani troops opened fire on the Armys K B Post in Kupwaras Nowgam sector that comes under the jurisdiction of 19 Infantry Division. The Army retaliated and the exchange of fire lasted for an hour during which light and heavy machine guns and mortars were used.

Sources said after the fresh ceasefire violation,the situation on the LoC is tense. The Army is planning to take up the ceasefire violation with its Pakistani counterparts through a flag meeting.

This is the first major ceasefire violation along the border this year after things took an ugly turn earlier after an Indian soldier was beheaded in Medhar by Pakistani army regulars and another was killed. The event triggered a series of exchanges on the border in which two Pakistani soldiers were also killed.

The ceasefire violation comes in the backdrop of growing attempts by militants to cross over to the valley.

Only last week,the Army in Nowgam sector and adjacent Rajwar and Bangus valley had launched a major operation after a group of militants were spotted near the LoC.

The Armys para commandos were also air dropped to track down the militants. However,the militants managed to flee and the operation was called off after five days. An infiltration attempt was also foiled in neighbouring Machil sector last week.