Wednesday, January 19 2005 12:58 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Terming the firing from across the border in Jammu and Kashmir as "violation of ceasefire", India today (Jan 19, 2005) took up the issue with Pakistani authorities who said they would investigate the matter.

The Director General of Military Operations (DGMO) spoke to his Pakistani counterpart this morning and informed him of India's concerns," Lt Gen B S Thakur, who took over as Vice Chief of Army Chief today, told reporters in New Delhi.

"Several rounds were fired at two places in Jammu and Kashmir from across the border last evening (Jan 18, 2005).

Thakur said that the first reaction of the Pakistani DGMO was that he was not aware of the incident. "However, when facts like the place and time of the firing were placed before him, he promised to investigate and come back to us," the new Vice Army Chief said.

Thakur said that India considered the incident as a violation of the 13-month-long ceasefire. "We take it as a violation of the ceasefire. But we will maintain restraint and have not retaliated. We hope the Pakistan Government will consider this case with all seriousness."

He said that the first mortar round was fired at Shingpati post in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir at about 18:35 hrs (IST) last evening. Between 19.25 hrs (IST) and 20:00 hrs (IST), 12 more rounds were fired at Banwat in the same sector.

Thakur said that 60mm and 88 mm mortars were used in the firing.

Asked whether the firing may have been carried out by militants, he said "the 60 mm shells are available at the platoon level on the other side and the 88 mm shells at battalion level. There are reports that the small mortar are also available with terrorists."

He said that though there was reliable surveillance at the ground level, the Army did not have any inclination about the firing.

To a query whether it could have been related to the killing of five infiltrators in the same area on Monday (Jan 17, 2005), Thakur said, "We cannot comment unless we get an assessment."

Asked whether such incidents could trigger an exchange of fire, Thakur said, "There is nothing that has been quantified as a trigger-point. I suppose we will take it on a case-to-case basis when the situation so flares up.

"But apparently, there is going to be a series of discussions on this and I am sure that with the kind of understanding that exists between the two Armies, there will be a better understanding and restraint on both sides. We are fully aware of the confidence-building measures to be enforced," he said.

Thakur said during his tenure as Vice Chief, he would carry forward the Army's modernisation efforts and acquiring of high-tech equipment.