India today lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over ceasefire violations at brigadier-level flag meeting along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
"We have lodged a strong protest with Pakistan Army authorities over the ceasefire violations along the LoC in Poonch at a brigadier-level flag meeting," a senior Army officer told PTI.
The hour-and-a-half long meeting was held at Chakan-Da-Bagh forward post on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district.
"Pakistan authorities denied ceasefire violations from their side as usual," the Army officer said, adding the meeting was held in a cordial and conducive atmosphere.
There were five officers in the flag meeting team from both the sides, headed by Brigade commanders. Commander of 10 Brigade, Brig Sanjay Thakaran represented India.
On January 13, Army troops foiled an infiltration bid along LoC in Krishnagati forward area in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
Indian officials are reported to have told their counterparts not to allow infiltration of militants and Border Action Team (BAT) attacks, warning that troops guarding the border will give a befitting reply in case of any violation.
Following a large number of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops on the LoC last year, the DGMOs of the two countries had met at Wagah near Amritsar after 14 years on December 24.
There have been 196 ceasefire violations along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir last year, the highest in last one decade.
Speaking in the Rajya Sabha on December 19, Defence Minister A K Antony said there were 93 ceasefire violations along the LoC by Pakistan in 2012. The numbers of ceasefire violations by Pakistan in 2011 were 51 and 44 in 2010.
