Ceasefire Breach in Poonch: Indian Army Responds Amid Security Concerns

Ceasefire Violation on the Line of Control

Jammu: On Monday, the Pakistani Army breached the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting a strong response from the Indian Army, according to officials.

Officials reported that the Pakistani Army initiated unprovoked firing in the Digwar sector of Poonch, to which the Indian Army retaliated appropriately.

In response to the situation, a search operation has been initiated in the vicinity to prevent any potential infiltration under the cover of the Pakistani Army's gunfire.

Earlier, on April 1, the Pakistani Army had also violated the ceasefire following a mine explosion along the LoC, leading to a controlled and measured response from Indian troops, as stated by the Army.

This latest ceasefire violation coincided with Union Home Minister Amit Shah's three-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

During a meeting with BJP MLAs in Jammu on Sunday evening, the Home Minister reassured them that the security situation in the Jammu division would stabilize soon.

Reports indicate that terrorists, primarily foreign mercenaries, are active in the hilly regions of Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, and Kishtwar districts.

On March 23, a group of five terrorists who had crossed into Indian territory in the Kathua district were engaged by local police in an encounter in Sanyal village, located 4 km inside the International Border.

This encounter resulted in the death of two terrorists, alongside the loss of four policemen.

Joint forces have expanded their 'seek and destroy' operations into the higher terrains of Kathua and Rajouri districts to locate the remaining three terrorists.

A brief encounter occurred on Friday between the terrorists and joint forces in the Billawar area of Kathua district.

The higher elevations of Kathua are reportedly being utilized by terrorists to infiltrate into Rajouri and Poonch.

To counteract the hit-and-run tactics employed by terrorists, approximately 4,000 elite Para commandos trained in mountain warfare have been deployed in the dense forests of these districts. Following a revised strategy by the joint forces, there have been no successful hit-and-run attacks in Poonch, Rajouri, and Kathua, unlike the previous quarter of 2024.