Explosion kills 5 Pakistani soldiers in Azad Kashmir

By Islamuddin Sajid

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AA) - At least five Pakistani army soldiers were killed in an explosion in Azad Kashmir, a military statement said on Wednesday.

The explosion took place in Barnala area of Chamb sector, a few meters away from the Line of Control (LoC), the de facto border dividing the disputed Kashmir valley.

"Five soldiers embraced shahadat while one got injured, the nature of blast being ascertained," the statement said.

“The incident is evident of state sponsored terrorism by India violating bilateral ceasefire agreement and the international rules,” it added.

The two longtime rivals have been locked in diplomatic and military tensions following a mid-February suicide attack on an army convoy in Jammu and Kashmir that killed at least 40 Indian troops.

New Delhi accuses Islamabad of colluding with militant group Jaish-e-Mohammad, which reportedly claimed responsibility for the brazen attack. Pakistan denied the charge.

On Feb, 27, Pakistan arrested an Indian pilot after his aircraft was downed in a dogfight with Pakistani jets along the de facto Kashmir border.

But a day later, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan announced his release in “a goodwill gesture”.