Amid growing tension between India and Pakistan over the killing of five Indian soldiers at the Line of Control in Kashmir earlier this week, the Pakistani army violated ceasefire yet again on Friday.

According to reports, Pakistani troops opened fire on several posts of the Indian army in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir around midnight, forcing the Indian side to retaliate.

Intermittent firing continued for three hours. No causalities were however reported. Three days ago, heavy exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops was reported from the Uri sector of Kashmir.

On Tuesday, five Indian soldiers patrolling the Line of Control in Poonch were ambushed by terrorists backed by the Pakistani Army. They had crossed the border in Poonch, 200 km from Srinagar.

Following the killings, India had warned Pakistan that “our restraint should not be taken for granted”. The incident has cast a shadow on a meeting between the Prime Ministers of the two countries scheduled for next month.

On Thursday, newly-elected Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif tried to ease tensions by urging both sides to work swiftly to shore up a 10-year ceasefire. Mr Sharif expressed his sadness over the loss of life and said it was “imperative” for India and Pakistan to take “effective steps to ensure and restore” the truce.

The latest ceasefire violation incident, despite Mr Nawaz Sharif’s statement, is bound to further strain the ties.

Though the Indian government has not yet officially commented on whether the assault on the jawans will alter the meeting plan, sources say it is clear that “business as usual” will not continue with Pakistan and that the neighbour will have to effectively demonstrate its commitment to curbing attacks in India.

Sources said India is likely to delay its response to Islamabad’s proposal for secretary level talks on issues like the Wullar Barrage, the Tulbul Navigation Project and Sir Creek.

Repeated ceasefire violation by Pakistan is threatening to derail the resumption of peace talks between India and Pakistan. Bilateral ties have been at a low especially since January when an Indian soldier was beheaded at the border by Pakistani soldiers.

  Indian Army