Srinagar, June 20: Army on Sunday accused Pakistani troops of violating seven-year-old ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) by resorting to firing in Machhil sector in frontier district of Kupwara, 140 kms from here.

“Pakistani troops opened fire on Indian posts and positions in Machhil sector at around 7.30 am without any provocation,” said Srinagar-based defence spokesman, Lt Col J S Brar. “Two porters were killed and two troopers injured in the firing,” he added.

In 2003, India and Pakistan had announced a ceasefire on the LoC. New Delhi has accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire on several occasions.
 Today’s incident comes ahead of Home Minister, P Chidambaram’s visit to Pakistan on June 25 for the SAARC Interior Ministers’ Conference. Before that talks between the Indian Foreign Secretary Nirupakma Rao and her Pakistani counterpart Salman Bashir are scheduled for June 24 in Islamabad. 

 Meanwhile, Superintendent of Police, Kupwara, Uttam Chand, said the deceased porters were identified as Aziz Malik and Abdul Majid Malik of Chuntiwara Bala, Machil.

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