Indian army says 96 cease-fire violations recorded on Kashmir LoC this year

Indian-controlled Kashmir, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Indian army Wednesday said 96 cease-fire violations by Pakistan were recorded on line-of-control (LoC) since January this year.

"So far 18 cease-fire violations by Pakistan have taken place since the beginning of month of September, bringing the total number of violations to 96 in the year 2013," said S N Acharaya, Indian army spokesman.

Skirmishes between the two armies are going on almost on daily basis since Aug. 6. So far, eight troopers (five from Indian side and three from Pakistan side) were killed during the standoff on the 720 km long LoC. Majority of the exchanges have taken place on LoC in Poonch.

LoC is a de facto border that divides Kashmir into India and Pakistan controlled parts.

Both India and Pakistan blame each other for resorting to unprovoked firing that triggers skirmishes resulting in civilian or troop casualties on either side.

New Delhi and Islamabad in 2003 agreed to observe cease-fire along the international border and LoC in Kashmir. Though some violations have been reported on both sides, the cease-fire remains in effect.

Last week, India's External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and Pakistan's adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security Sartaj Aziz agreed to respect the LoC cease-fire agreement of 2003 during their meeting in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit.

However, the current standoff has put a question mark on their commitment and 2003 agreement at large.