22-year-old Indo-Pak. ceasefire pact hangs by thread as armies exchange fire for 4th day in J&K
For the fourth consecutive day on Tuesday (April 29, 2025), Indian and Pakistani armies exchanged small arms firing on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir, indicating an end of the 2003 ceasefire agreement that was ratified in 2021. Meanwhile, officials said a zipline operator, questioned by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) after a viral video, has 'no role' in the Pahalgam attack.
An Army spokesman said Pakistan troops again resorted to 'unprovoked small arms firing' across the LoC during the night of April 28 and 29. The cross-border firing took place in areas opposite Kupwara and Baramulla districts in north Kashmir and the Akhnoor Sector in the Jammu region.
'The firing was sudden and without any provocation from the Indian side. The Indian Army responded to the provocation in a measured and effective manner, preventing any escalation and safeguarding civilian areas close to the LoC,' the Army said.
In the past four days, most districts in the Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley closer to the LoC have witnessed firing. However, no casualties or damage were reported in these skirmishes.
In 2021, the Directors General of Military Operations-level talks between India and Pakistan resulted in reiteration to abide by the 2003 ceasefire agreement along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir on February 25. Both India and Pakistan agreed to the strict observance of all agreements, understandings and ceasefire along the LoC and all other sectors in spite of the 2019 actions of the Centre to end Jammu and Kashmir special status.
Also read | Pahalgam terror attack: Tension grips LoC amid crackdown on militants
Meanwhile, the zipline operator, Muzamil, who was present at the attack site and was seen chanting 'Allah-o-Akbar slogans' amid gunshots, was not apparently part of the attacks on April 22 in Pahalgam's Baisaran area, officials said.
Mr. Muzamil's father said his son was detained after the video went viral. 'Muslims always chant such slogans when they face any trouble,' the father said.
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