Pakistan Violates Ceasefire Along LoC For 7th Consecutive Night

The Pakistan Army carried out unprovoked small arms firing across the Line of Control towards the Kupwara, Uri and Akhnoor sectors in Jammu and Kashmir, violating ceasefire for the seventh consecutive night.

The Indian Army responded with equal force to the incessant firing from across the border.

In further escalation of tensions since the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, Pakistan's forces also fired along the International Border on Tuesday night.

The directors general of military operations (DGMOs) of both nations held talks on the ceasefire violations, with India warning Pakistan against the unprovoked firing, people familiar with the DGMO talks told PTI.

Pakistan's actions violate a 2003 ceasefire agreement, to which both sides reaffirmed commitment in February 2021 after increased tensions along the 740-kilometre-long de-facto border.

These violations come even as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio encouraged India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions, assuring External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar of Washington's support in New Delhi's fight against terror.

These violations come even as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio encouraged India and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions, assuring External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar of Washington's support in New Delhi's fight against terror.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted during a high-level meeting that the armed forces have "complete operational freedom" to decide on the mode, targets and timing of India's response to the terror attack.

A day after the Pahalgam attack, India on April 23 announced a raft of punitive measures against Pakistan including suspension of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty, shutting down of the only operational land border crossing at Attari and downgrading of diplomatic ties in view of cross-border links to the attack. Recently, India shut its airspace for Pakistan-owned and operated airlines and suspended social media accounts of Pakistani actors.

In response, Pakistan shut its airspace to Indian airliners and suspended all trade with India, including through third countries. Pakistan rejected India's suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and said any move to stop the flow of water will be seen as an "act of war".