Indian, Pak troops exchange sweets, gunfire along border

Led by Mujahid Regiment Commandant Colonel Umar Gul, Pakistan army officers met Indian counterparts led by Colonel Cristopher at Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point in Poonch district and greeted them on India's 65th independence day, army officials said.
The Pakistani contingent gifted sweets and fruits to the Indian officials who offered them tea and sweets during the flag meeting that lasted an hour.

However, the bonhomie along the LoC was marred by ceasefire violation by Pakistani rangers who indulged in unprovoked firing on Indian post along International Border (IB) in Ramgarh belt of Samba sector early today.

Pakistani troops from Imran post resorted to small arms firing on Ballard forward Border out Post along the International Border in Ramgarh sub-sector of the district around 3.45 AM this morning, BSF DIG (G Branch), S Oberoi said.

"The unprovoked firing continued for 25 minutes. BSF troops effectively retaliated back," the DIG said, adding that there was no casualty or injury to any one in the firing on this side.

"It was a clear case of ceasefire violation," he said, adding a protest would be lodged with the Pakistan authorities.

"We have given them sweets and fruits on their Independence Day yesterday during a flag meeting. But they have returned the gesture with bullets today on our Independence Day," Oberoi said.

Yesterday, Indian Army and BSF officers had gifted sweets to their counterparts at Chakan-Da-Bagh and Octroi border posts along Indo-Pak border on the occasion of Pakistan's independence day.