Indian army retaliates to Pakistan firing along LoC

Srinagar: Amid the escalating tension over the Pahalgam terror attack, Indian and Pakistan armies exchanged small arms fire in Nowgam sector in Kupwara district, official sources said.

The incident occurred just hours ahead of Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi’s scheduled visit to Kashmir on Friday.

They said the firing was initiated by Pakistan which was effectively retaliated by soldiers in the Nowgam sector.

“The exchange lasted for over an hour and there is no report of casualties in the firing,” they said.

The Srinagar-based defence spokesperson did not respond to reports of the exchange of fire.

This is the first ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kashmir in the recent past.

The tension between India and Pakistan following the brutal attack on tourists near the popular resort town of Pahalgam, which left 26 civilians dead, has triggered panic among residents living along the border. They fear that the ceasefire agreement reached between the two countries , which has been held for several years, may not withstand the current strain.