Pakistan violates ceasefire in Jammu region: Heavy shelling along LoC in Poonch

JAMMU: Pakistani troops pounded forward posts and civilian areas along the Line of Control in Poonch district with heavy shelling and firing, forcing the Army to retaliate.

Pakistani troops fired mortars, rocket-projectile grenades (RPGs) and automatic weapons targeting forward posts since 2330 hrs in violation of ceasefire, a Defence spokesman said today.

They fired 82 mm mortar shells, RPGs and used automatic and small arms, he said. The shells also landed in civilian areas.

"Army carried out effective retaliation resulting in exchanges which were going on when reports last came in from the area," the spokesman said.

There has been no casualty on Indian side, he said.

Pakistani troops have violated the ceasefire eight times in September this year ahead of Director General-level talks between the border guarding forces of India and Pakistan from September 9.

Ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir, including sniper attacks, and infiltration are among the key issues India is expected to raise with Pakistan during the five-day talks.

An army jawan was injured as Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire on September 5, by firing on forward posts along the LoC in Poonch district.

The Pakistani Rangers had fired two burst of small arms and two mortar shells on posts along the International Border (IB) in R S Pura sector of Jammu district on September 4.

The Pak army also targeted Bhimber Gali (BG) sector of the LoC in Poonch on September 3, while the Krishna Ghati sector was attacked on September 2.

On September 1, Pakistan troops had fired on a Forward Defence Location (FDL).

The Indian troops had retaliated strongly to the opponent's onslaughts.

Eleven people, including two jawans, were killed and over 30 injured in ceasefire violations by Pakistan last month.

There have been over 250 violations of the border ceasefire agreement by Pakistan in the year so far, of which 57 were in August.