Pak army chief blames India's 'ceasefire violations' for hurting counter-terrorism operations

Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has said that the country's operation against terrorists in the tribal area was affected by Indian troops' ceasefire violation at the Line of Control (LoC) and Working Boundary (WB), said reports.

A U.S. official said that the army chief had said during his first visit to Washington that heavy firing by Indian troops along the border and statements issued by their leaders were affecting Pakistan's campaign in fighting against extremism.

Raheel told U.S. officials that Pakistan had deployed 1,40,000 troops on its Western borders after getting assurance that there would be complete harmony with India on the Eastern borders. However, it did not happen.

More than 19 people have lost their lives as a result of cross border violation, reported Dawn.

The Pakistani army has also claimed the removal of Haqqani Network and the East Turkistan Movement from the region, the report said.