New Delhi: Escalating frictions along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir marked the lead-up to a high-stakes cricket encounter, as Pakistani soldiers initiated gunfire in the Nowgam sector of Kupwara district, a News18 report revealed.
Military officials disclosed to the outlet that the episode entailed small-arms discharge from across the border, falling short of a formal breach of the ceasefire accord. The confrontation unfolded mere days before the India-Pakistan Super Fours showdown in the Asia Cup 2025, set for Dubai.
In the Nowgam exchange, Pakistani positions unleashed four rounds of small-arms fire, met swiftly by Indian personnel who countered with approximately 20 rounds. The brief skirmish resulted in no casualties on either side, according to the report. Frontline troops reported the area stabilized, with vigilant oversight in place. To date, the Indian Army has withheld an official communiqué on the matter.
This flare-up echoes a recent defensive success by Indian forces, who thwarted a suspected incursion in the Balakot sector of Poonch district on September 1. That nighttime vigil led to a firefight, effectively blocking unauthorized crossings into Indian-held territory.
The Army’s account from the time, relayed via News18, detailed: “At about 0530 hours on September 1, troops of White Knight Corps in the general area of Balakot detected suspicious movement near the LoC. Fire was immediately opened by alert troops, preventing the infiltration attempt. Own troops have been repositioned and reoriented to ensure domination of the area using all available means. Troops are maintaining high alert in their respective areas.”
In the aftermath, surveillance operations and patrols have been ramped up to deter additional probes. Despite the relative tranquility along the LoC since the February 2021 ceasefire pact, sporadic reports of cross-border shots and attempted breaches persist, underscoring the fragile peace in the region.
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