M777 howitzers manufactured by BAE Systems. With 411 ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC), the Indian Army has for the first time in 15 years used artillery guns along the 15 Corps Zone, north of the Pir Panjal mountain range, reports The Indian Express.
Ceasefire violations have been rampant in Rampur and Uri in North Kashmir resulting in the Army using its 105 mm artillery field guns briefly. This is the first time artillery guns have been fired in the sector since a ceasefire agreement was signed in 2003.
Used as a last resort , artillery is used only after all personal weapons and mortars with the infantry have been used.
South of Pir Panjal along the LoC saw the use of the 155 mm Bofors, especially due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan post the 2016 surgical strikes. Official data shows that Pakistan has used heavy calibre weapons such as the 120 mm mortar at least five times this year.
Pakistan has started its activity early on the LoC. The lack of snow this season has opened the infiltration routes in 15 Corps Zone pretty early. Militants are at the terrorist launchpads across, and we are going to proactively ensure that it is not able to easily send them across and respond to ceasefire violations in equal measure.A senior Army official at Northern Command Headquarters in Udhampur.
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