“On April 1, a mine blast occurred in Krishna Ghati Sector due to Pakistan Army intrusion across LC. This was followed by unprovoked firing and ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army,” he said.

He said the Indian troops responded effectively in a controlled and calibrated manner, and the “situation is under control and being closely monitored”.

“Indian Army reiterates the importance of upholding the tenets of 2021 understanding arrived at between the Director Generals of Military Operations of the two countries to maintain peace along the Line of Control,” the spokesperson said.

In another statement later, the PRO offered “further update”, which did not mention the “intrusion across LC”. Though the updated statement appeared to have been issued to clarify that the sanctity of the LoC was maintained, it did not deny intrusion by the Pakistan Army.

Asked how the mine exploded, the PRO said that both sides have their own perception of the LoC in the absence of any clear demarcation, and someone must have stepped over it, leading to the explosion.

Sources said that the incident occurred in the Nangi Tikti area of the Krishna Ghati sector.

This comes ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah's scheduled visit to Jammu and Kashmir on April 7-8, and also when the security forces and the UT police area engaged in a lengthy operation against militants for the last 11 days in the Kathua district.

Security forces have so far killed two militants, and their searches in the dense forests of the Ramkote area of Kathua are underway for three others.

Four policemen were also killed when militants, taking advantage of their position on a hilltop, opened fire on a search party on March 27.

The five-member militant group is believed to have entered the Kathua district after crossing the international border with Pakistan last week. The security forces and police initially had the first contact with them on March 23 in the forests at Saniyal village, but they managed to flee.-Agencies