India-Pakistan Conflict Update: Militants Attack Indian Army Post In Kashmir, Ceasefire Violations Reported

Militants opened fire at an Indian army camp in Kashmir’s northern district of Baramulla on Sunday night, killing one border guard and wounding another, in the latest act of terrorism in the valley.

The location of India’s counter-insurgency force of 46 Rastriya Rifles in Baramulla — also housing a unit of the Border Security Force (BSF) — was attacked at 10:30 pm local time (1 pm EDT). The firing that ensued led to the casualties.

“One BSF personnel was killed and one injured when militants tried to enter an army camp,” said local Superintendent of Police Imtiyaz Hussein, Reuters reported.

A massive search operation was carried out with India calling in its 4 Para special forces unit to search and secure the army camp. However, Hussein told Reuters on Monday morning: “They fled under the cover of darkness.”

Just hours later, India accused Pakistan of violating the ceasefire at the international border near Gurdaspur in the state of Punjab. According to Indian news agency ANI, the firing took place at the BSF Chakri post.

Last month, terrorists attacked the Indian army base in Uri, Kashmir, killing 19 soldiers. According to India, the attacks were carried out by Pakistan-based militants, sparking retaliation from New Delhi in the form of reported “surgical strikes” across the line of control last Thursday. India claims that several militants were killed in the strikes.

Pakistan has denied that any such raids were carried out, asking India to produce credible evidence to back its claim. It also said that it has captured an Indian soldier from 37 Rashtriya Rifles, killing several others in crossfire — India has rubbished reports of the latter.

“He had crossed over, which happens in border areas. There is a well established mechanism through Director General of Military Operations which has been activated,” Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar was quoted as saying by the PTI news agency.

India has repeatedly accused Pakistan of funding infiltration attempts into the country, while Islamabad has voiced a sharp critique of India’s repeated human rights violations in the state of Kashmir.