Pakistan’s helicopter violates airspace in Poonch: Army

Indian Army on Sunday said Pakistani Army violated airspace along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Pir Panjal's Valley’s Poonch district. A Jammu-based defence spokesman Lt. Col. Devendra Anand said the air violation was noted at 12:10 p.m. by a Pakistani helicopter in Poonch Sector. Preliminary reports suggest the Pakistani military helicopter flew for nearly five minutes within 250 meters of the LoC and flew over Gulpur Sector before returning back. "It could likely to be a civil chopper and was flying very high. The air sentries at forward location had engaged it with small arms," said the Army spokesman. However, the Army did not divulge further details on how long and how deep did the helicopter managed to fly in the Indian airspace. As per the agreement between India and Pakistan, helicopters are barred coming within 1 kilometre of the LoC on both the sides. This comes 12 hours after Indian and Pakistani troops exchanged fire alone the LoC in north Kashmir's Kupwara. The Army said it foiled "major" infiltration bids along LoC in Tanghdar Sector on Saturday evening. "Pakistani Army was providing cover fire to the infiltrators," said the Army. Source: The Hindu