Pakistan targets India ahead of Diwali, kills 4 soldiers and 3 civilians in multiple ceasefire violations along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir

Ahead of the biggest festival of Diwali, Pakistan on Friday resorted to multiple ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) from Gurez sector to Uri sector of Jammu and Kashmir. Till last reports came, three Indian Army soldiers and a BSF personal were martyred and three civilians were also killed along LoC in Pakistan firing, according to the Army. 

READ | Two Army personnel martyred, three civilians killed in Pakistan ceasefire violation along LoC in Uri

In the unprovoked ceasefire violations, three soldiers and many other civilians were also injured along the LoC in multiple sectors including Dawar, Keran, Uri and Naugam, Gurez sector of three districts of north Kashmir. The Indian Army said that 'substantial damage has been caused to the Pakistani Army infrastructure'. 

In a statement issued by Army’s Srinagar based PRO Col Rajesh Kalia said that “substantial damage” was caused to Pakistan Army's infrastructure besides casualties across the LoC in retaliatory action. “Several ammunition dumps, FOL dumps and multiple (militant) launch pads have been damaged, read the statement.

READ | Indian Army foils infiltration bid in Jammu and Kashmir's Keran sector

It also read, “Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation along the LoC spread across multiple sectors to include Dawar, Keran, Uri and Naugam. Pakistan used Mortars & other weapons. Pakistan deliberately targeted civilian areas.” 

Three Indian Army soldiers have been killed in action (KIA) and three soldiers were injured, he said. “The nation salutes their supreme sacrifice,” he said, adding, “Own troops retaliated strongly causing substantial damage to Pakistan Army's infrastructure and casualties across the LoC." Several ammunition dumps, FOL dumps and multiple (militants) launch pads have been damaged,” added the statement.

A BSF Sub Inspector was martyred in Pakistan ceasefire violation. The BSF PRO said, "In the ceasefire violation started by Pakistan, a BSF Officer Sub Insp. Rakesh Dobhal laid down his life while retaliating befittingly."

Earlier, at around 4 am as per the statement issued by Indian Army, an infiltration bid was foiled by Indian troops. Defence PRO 15crops Srinagar said, "Suspicious movement was observed by own troops at the forward posts along the line of control (LoC) in Keran sector today. The suspected infiltration bid was foiled by alert troops."

Since then Pakistan violated ceasefire at multiple locations across LoC from Gurez to Uri in three districts of north Kashmir--Bandipora, Kupwara and Baramulla. The intermediate firing is still going on till last reports came in. 

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Pakistan also violated ceasefire in Jammu and PRO Defence Jammu said, "Pakistan violates ceasefire in Sawjian in Poonch (J&K) on 13 Nov 2020 at about 1345 hours Pak initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with Small Arms along LoC in Sawjian sector in District Poonch (J&K). Indian Army retaliates befittingly.