Leepa Valley, AJK (Pakistan administered Kashmir): Indian troops reportedly opened fire near the Kayani sector’s Lipa Valley late Friday night, prompting a strong response from Pakistani forces, according to local sources. The exchange of heavy weaponry continued for over an hour, marking the first major escalation in the Leepa sector since 2019.
According to to local media the incident began around 1:30 AM when Indian forces initiated firing along the Line of Control (LoC). Pakistani military officials stated they “responded decisively” to repel the assault. Witnesses reported sustained artillery and mortar fire from both sides, disrupting civilian life in villages near the de facto border.
Local residents on both sides of the LoC condemned the hostilities, calling for an immediate ceasefire and expressing fears of further escalation. “Our children haven’t slept all night.
This violence solves nothing,” said a resident from a Nokot village near the Kayani sector. Daily life remains paralyzed in the area, with schools and markets shut due to safety concerns.
Authorities have not yet commented on casualties or damage. However, independent sources confirmed heightened military activity along the LoC, with both sides accusing each other of violating the 2003 ceasefire agreement.
This incident revives tensions in a region that has seen relative calm since the 2019 skirmishes. The Leepa sector, a historically sensitive zone, has frequently witnessed cross-border flare-ups, drawing international calls for restraint.
Reporting from Muzaffarabad; updates to follow.