Heavy firing at India-Pakistan border, army on alert

JAMMU - The Indian Army was put on alert following heavy exchange of fire at the India-Pakistan border in Jammu and Kashmir early Tuesday following a major infiltration bid, defence sources said Tuesday as the country celebrated its 61st Republic Day.

The firing, at the Kanachak sector near Akhnoor, 30 km northwest from here, started at 2 a.m. and went on four hours. Officials said Pakistani Rangers provided covering fire to a group of infiltrators. The BSF men retaliated and the guns fell silent around 6 a.m.

The Indian Army has been put on alert along the border, where the first line of defence is provided by the BSF.

Army sources said troops were put on alert after the fire started from Pakistani side. They described the firing as heavy and said it was a clear attempt by Pakistan to push terrorists into India on Republic Day.

The exchange of fire was heavy for about two hours initially. “Thereafter, it was intermittent firing that lasted till 6 a.m.,” Director General of Police Kuldeep Khoda told reporters.

It was the 15th ceasefire violation incident and infiltration attempt from across the border this month.

“Pakistan is desperate to push terrorists to the Indian side,” a senior army official said, adding that they wanted to strike on India’s national day and were unhappy with the peace in Jammu and Kashmir.