Tensions remain high along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir as the Pakistan Army has initiated unprovoked firing on Indian positions for the seventh consecutive day, officials reported on Thursday.
According to a Defence Ministry Spokesman, Pakistani Army posts began firing small arms across the LoC in the Kupwara, Uri, and Akhnoor sectors during the night of April 30 and May 1. The Indian Army responded to this aggression in a proportionate manner.
This recent incident follows a week of repeated unprovoked firing by Pakistan on the LoC. Additionally, on Wednesday, Pakistan Rangers fired small arms at Indian posts along the International Border in the Pargwal sector of the Jammu district.
The escalation in cross-border tensions follows the tragic terrorist attack on April 22 in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam, where 26 innocent civilians, including 25 tourists and a local individual, were killed. India has attributed this attack to Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorists allegedly sponsored and aided by Pakistan, leading to widespread national outrage.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his initial response to the Pahalgam killings, vowed to relentlessly pursue the terrorists, their handlers, and backers. Following a meeting with the Defence Minister, National Security Advisor, Chief of Defence Services (CDS), and the three service chiefs, the Prime Minister granted the defense forces a free hand to determine the timing, targets, and scale of their response to avenge the killings.
Prior to this, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had a 40-minute meeting with Prime Minister Modi on Monday, after receiving a comprehensive briefing from the CDS on the readiness of the armed forces.
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha recently held a security review meeting with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi in Srinagar. The L-G urged the Army to utilize all necessary force to apprehend those responsible for the Pahalgam terror attack.
In a parallel effort to send a strong message to terrorists, their overground workers (OGWs), and sympathizers, security forces are continuing to demolish the residences of terrorists. L-G Manoj Sinha further reviewed the overall security situation in Jammu and Kashmir during a high-level security meeting on Wednesday.
Last Friday, authorities demolished two houses belonging to Adil Hussain Thokar and Asif Sheikh in the Tral and Bijbehara areas. Both individuals were identified as members of the LeT terrorist group involved in the Pahalgam killings. To date, security forces have demolished the houses of ten terrorists reportedly still active in the Kashmir Valley.
On Monday, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly unanimously condemned the terrorist attack and passed a resolution addressing the incident.
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