India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Monday that it had received a formal diplomatic note from Pakistan regarding the recent exchange of fire along the Line of Control in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir. The note, delivered through official channels on Sunday evening, expressed Pakistan’s concern over what it described as “unprovoked shelling” by Indian forces on April 5, which Islamabad said resulted in civilian casualties and damage to residential structures in the Neelum Valley. Indian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that the response to the note is being coordinated between the Ministry of External Affairs and the Directorate General of Military Operations. They emphasized that India’s position remains consistent: any firing across the Line of Control is a reaction to ceasefire violations initiated from the Pakistani side, and that Indian troops operate under strict rules of engagement designed to minimize civilian risk. The exchange follows a pattern of increased tension along the de facto border in recent weeks. According to data compiled by the South Asia Terrorism Portal, ceasefire violations reported by both sides rose by 38% in March compared to the previous month, with the majority occurring in the Rajouri, Poonch, and Kupwara sectors. Indian military sources said that infiltration attempts along the LoC have also risen, prompting heightened surveillance and forward deployment of troops in sensitive areas. Pakistan’s Foreign Office issued a separate statement on Monday, reiterating its call for restraint and urging the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP) to investigate the latest incidents. UNMOGIP, which has maintained a presence in the region since 1949, confirmed receipt of the request but declined to comment on whether an investigation would be launched, citing its mandate to observe and report rather than intervene. Indian officials noted that while UNMOGIP’s observations are shared with both governments, New Delhi has long questioned the group’s effectiveness, citing its limited access to forward areas and lack of enforcement mechanisms. India has not formally requested UNMOGIP’s involvement in recent LoC incidents, preferring to address such matters bilaterally or through existing hotlines between the two armies’ directors general of military operations. The latest diplomatic exchange comes ahead of a scheduled meeting of the SAARC Council of Ministers later this month in Colombo, where India and Pakistan are expected to be represented. Although no bilateral talks are on the formal agenda, regional diplomats say the encounter could provide an indirect channel for de-escalation messaging, particularly if tensions along the LoC continue to fluctuate. Neither side has announced any changes to troop deployments or ceasefire protocols following the note exchange. Military officials on both sides continue to monitor the situation closely, with daily flag meetings held at designated points along the LoC to address local violations in real time. As of Monday evening, no further official communication had been exchanged between the two capitals on the matter. The Line of Control remains under a fragile ceasefire agreement first established in 2003 and intermittently reaffirmed since, most recently in February 2021. Both governments have affirmed their commitment to maintaining peace along the border, even as sporadic violations persist.
