Over the past few days, the Pakistan Army has been regularly violating the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) through firing and sniping activities

NEW DELHI: The Pakistan Army has issued instructions to its soldiers deployed in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir to be alert, lie low and increase their strength at posts located along the Line of Control, intelligence and defence officials said on Friday. This comes amid ceasefire violations by the Pakistan Army along the de facto border.

The fresh instructions, especially to remain alert, have been issued by the Pakistan Army’s 3 PoK Brigade to its formations in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK), officials said. The Kotli-based brigade has an area of responsibility located opposite to the Rajouri, Poonch, Naushera and Sunderbani sectors of the Indian Army.

The instructions were issued on January 16, which primarily mentioned that there should be no movement before 10 am, according to officials. Other instructions were that any movement has to be done in coordination with the brigade headquarters and all posts, including those for observation, should not have a strength of less than 10 personnel.

Over the past few days, the Pakistan Army has been regularly violating the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) through firing and sniping activities. Sources added that the Indian Army has been retaliating effectively through several tactical operations along the LoC. “We are causing more damage to them (Pakistan Army),” said sources, without revealing details.

Northern Army Commander Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh on Thursday also said that the army was replying befittingly to Pakistani aggression along the LoC. In response to questions about the continuous ceasefire violations along the LoC and five Pakistani soldiers reportedly being killed in Indian retaliation, Singh said, “The report you (media) said about the killing of five Pakistan soldiers in the last few days, it shows that the Indian Army is giving a befitting reply to every nefarious act of Pakistan.” 

He added that the army’s endeavour is to remain alert along the LoC.