Tension briefly resurfaced along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir after the Pakistani army violated the ceasefire in the Leepa valley on the intervening night of October 26 and 27. According to security sources, Pakistan resorted to small-arms fire and mortar shelling targeting Indian forward posts without provocation. The Indian Army immediately retaliated, giving what officials described as a “befitting response” to the aggression. The exchange marked the first reported ceasefire violation in several months, disrupting the relative calm that had prevailed along the LoC since May.
The Line of Control had remained peaceful since May 10, when Pakistan approached India to agree to a ceasefire following three days of intense hostilities. The truce had held steady, symbolising a rare phase of stability in a region long defined by cross-border tensions and infiltration attempts. This latest incident, however, has reignited concerns about Pakistan’s continued attempts to destabilise the border through periodic provocations.
Leepa Valley, situated at an altitude of around 9,000 feet, has historically served as a critical route for infiltration into Indian territory. Security officials believe that the recent shelling could have been an attempt to provide cover for militant movement or reconnaissance operations. The Army, maintaining vigilance, reinforced its defensive positions in the area and continues to monitor all infiltration routes closely.
Earlier in August, reports surfaced alleging a ceasefire violation in the Poonch sector. However, the Indian Army had officially denied those claims, clarifying in a statement that there had been “no ceasefire violation along the Line of Control.” The military reaffirmed that any reports to the contrary were inaccurate and that the ceasefire agreement remained intact at the time.
The calm along the LoC since May 10 had followed one of the most significant military escalations between India and Pakistan in recent years. That escalation began on May 7, when India launched Operation Sindoor, a large-scale military offensive in retaliation for the Pahalgam terror attack, which killed 26 civilians and soldiers. During the operation, Indian forces struck and destroyed nine terror camps deep inside Pakistani territory.
According to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Operation Sindoor neutralised over 100 terrorists and dismantled facilities operated by Pakistan-based terror outfits, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Hizbul Mujahideen. The operation triggered a series of retaliatory drone and missile attacks from Pakistan, most of which were intercepted by India’s air defence systems. Between May 8 and 10, the Indian Air Force carried out targeted air strikes on 11 Pakistani military bases, dealing a decisive blow to Islamabad’s operational infrastructure.
Faced with mounting pressure and heavy losses, Pakistan reached out to India on May 10 to request a ceasefire. The agreement, established through military channels, led to a cessation of hostilities that brought much-needed relief to border residents on both sides. The understanding has since been extended periodically, reflecting a tentative mutual interest in maintaining border stability.
The recent firing in Leepa Valley marks a potential breach of that fragile truce. While the situation remains under control, Indian security agencies remain alert to the possibility of further violations. Officials have reiterated that any provocation will be met with a strong and immediate response, underscoring India’s firm stance on safeguarding its territorial integrity and maintaining peace through strength.
