World War 3: India retaliates as Pakistan violates ceasefire - violent clash breaks out
INDIA and Pakistan have accused each other of violating a ceasefire along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.
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At 5.30 pm local time, Pakistan is said to have violated the ceasefire in the Degwar and Malti sectors of the Poonch district.
The Indian Army is currently retaliating to the action according to Indian news outlets. Pakistan news outlet AbbTakk has claimed within the last hour that Indian retaliation has injured three civilians, citing Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Earlier on Monday, Pakistan had violated the ceasefire in the Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district.
A news18India reporter tweeted about the incident, saying the Indian army has reacted "strongly".
An Indian defence spokesman said, according to Times Now News: “At about 17:30 hours today, the Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and intense shelling with mortars along LoC in Degwar and Malti sector.”
However, Pakistan had claimed India had also launched an unprovoked attack the weekend prior.
The Indian spokesman said India has retaliated to Pakistan's recent firing, and claimed there were no casualties on the Indian side.
The statement was issued by Jammu-based defence spokesperson Lt Col Devender Anand.
The Times of India states there were intermittent exchanges of gunfire during the breach.
The Tribune India claims there have been 2,730 ceasefire violations by Pakistan so far this year, allegedly causing 24 civilian deaths and 100 injuries.
However, Pakistan has also claimed there have been ceasefire violations by Indian forces.
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On Sunday, Pakistan summoned a senior official from India’s High Commission to criticise what it called “indiscriminate and unprovoked firing” on Saturday in the Rakhchikri region of the Line of Control which divides India and Pakistan.
It said the incident had left one civilian seriously injured.
Pakistan accused Indian forces of using heavy mortars and automatic weapons.
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It called on the Indian side to investigate ceasefire incidents and called on the country to observe the 2003 Ceasefire Understanding between the two sides.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office has claimed there have been 17 deaths, 168 injuries and 2,158 ceasefire violations this year, according to the Economic Times.
Both sides claiming differing numbers of ceasefire violations has happened before.
A ceasefire agreement was signed between the two countries in 2003.
In 2018, both sides reportedly agreed to observe the agreement amid concerns regarding the safety of civilians caught up in the conflict.
Indian army Lt Gen R R Nimbhorkar said at the time “various mechanisms will be set in place for maintaining peace and tranquillity.”
He added there “should be concern” on both sides for the safety of local people.
The Line of Control, or LOC, is a disputed border which splits the region of Kashmir into two.
It came into effect in July 1972. The line is marked by barbed wire and is also dotted with checkpoints. It is said to be around 450 miles long.