Pakistan Fires Across International Border in Jammu for First Time; India Retaliates
For the first time, Pakistan opened fire along the International Border in Jammu’s Paragwal sector on Tuesday night, prompting a swift Indian Army retaliation amid rising post-Pahalgam tensions.
In a significant escalation, the Pakistan Army initiated cross-border firing along the International Border (IB) in the Paragwal sector of Jammu — a first since tensions reignited after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. The Indian Army responded swiftly and in a calibrated manner, defence sources confirmed.
The firing comes after six consecutive days of ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC), including heavy firing in Rajouri’s Naushera and Sunderbani sectors, Jammu’s Akhnoor sector, and Baramulla and Kupwara districts.
Following the exchange at the IB, additional BSF forces were deployed in the Paragwal sector. The Army briefed the Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) on the evolving situation. The Indian Army is said to possess visual evidence of approximately 20 Pakistani forward posts engaged in the firing.
Though no artillery or air defence weaponry has been used yet, sources said Pakistani troops continue to rely on small arms and light machine guns.
Cross-border hostilities have steadily intensified since the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam that killed 26 people. Security sources say that Monday night saw renewed firing in Kupwara and Baramulla, followed by more exchanges the next night in the same region.
Over the last week, 34 ceasefire violations have reportedly occurred across unconfirmed LoC locations, signaling a steep uptick in Pakistani aggression. On April 1, a mine blast in Krishna Ghati sector was suspected to be linked to infiltration efforts, which was soon followed by small arms fire.
Meanwhile, counterterror operations continue in the hinterlands of Anantnag, Pulwama, and Shopian. Security forces are sweeping through elevated terrain, systematically clearing the region. The J&K Police and CRPF have been tasked with house-to-house screenings, including suspected Over Ground Worker (OGW) residences.
A top security source said, “This coordinated pattern of provocation indicates a clear attempt by Pakistan to destabilize the Valley following the Pahalgam carnage.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level security review on Tuesday, where he reiterated that the Indian military has “complete operational freedom” to respond to cross-border terrorism.
“The armed forces will decide the time, place, and scale of retaliation,” a senior government official said after the meeting.
