20-year-old soldier martyred while responding to 'unprovoked' LoC violation by Indian army: ISPR

Published March 17, 2020
Sepoy Wajid Ali was a resident of Dadu. — Photo provided by ISPR
Sepoy Wajid Ali was a resident of Dadu. — Photo provided by ISPR

A Pakistan army soldier was martyred in the Neelum Valley of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in an 'unprovoked' ceasefire violation by the Indian army, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the ISPR said that the Indian army troops "resorted to unprovoked firing in Shahkot sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in Neelum valley with heavy weapons".

“Pakistan Army responded effectively, targeting those [Indian] posts which had initiated fire and inflicted heavy losses on enemy in terms of men and material,” added the military's media wing.

The statement said that during the exchange of fire, 20-year-old Sepoy Wajid Ali was martyred while responding to Indian aggression. The martyred sepoy was a resident of Dadu.

Military sources told Dawn that the ceasefire violation was committed by the Indian army late on Monday night.

While paying tribute to the martyred soldier in a statement, AJK Prime Minister Raja Farooq Haider said that the sacrifices of Pakistan Army personnel and Kashmiris would not go in vain.

“We the Kashmiris feel proud of our armed forces which are helping and defending us against India’s occupation forces that have unleashed terror and aggression within the occupied territory as well as along the ceasefire line,” the AJK premier said.

Haider said that the Indian army was habitual of targeting innocent civilian population along the dividing line “but their guns fall silent after forceful response by Pakistan Army.”

He also lauded the civilian population for its “exceptional bravery and resilience” and for “standing shoulder to shoulder with their armed forces in defence of their motherland".

“The spirit of Kashmiris is as high as the Himalayas and India will never succeed in bowing them down,” the AJK premier said.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...