ISLAMABAD: Indian troops violated ceasefire along the Line of Control on Saturday night by resorting to heavy firing and shelling, said a press release issued by the Inter Services Public Relations on Sunday.

“Indian troops on the LoC resorted to heavy unprovoked firing and shelling in Neza Pir sector last night,” the ISPR said.

However, no loss of life or injury was reported in the firing which continued for about five hours.

“Pakistan Army troops befittingly responded to Indian unprovoked firing and shelling,” the ISPR said.

HOTLINE CONTACT: The director general of military operations of the Pakistan Army contacted his India counterpart on hotline on Sunday against the backdrop of the ceasefire violation, the ISPR said.

“Issues relating to the ceasefire violation across the LoC were discussed” during the hotline contact, it said.

The Pakistani DGMO protested against the unprovoked firing by the Indian troops, it added.

Our Correspondent in New Delhi adds: India accused Pakistan on Sunday of ceasefire violation in the Poonch sector of the Line of Control, according to reports.

The reports followed Pakistan’s characterisation of the peace dialogue as being effectively suspended.

If true a breach has occurred after seven months of relative peace on the LoC during which diplomats and security advisers on both sides were engaged in raising hopes for durable normalisation of ties.

Published in Dawn, April 11th, 2016