Pakistani army targets Indian positions in Poonch

JAMMU: Pakistani army targeted Indian military positions along the Line of Control ( LoC) in Poonch area of Jammu and Kashmir today, in yet another ceasefire violation.

Pakistan army resorted to ceasefire violation in Balakot sector of Poonch from 1845 hours to 1945 hours, a defence spokesman said.

He said Pakistani troops used 82 mm mortars and the Indian army responded effectively using equal caliber weapons.

No causalty was reported on the Indian side, he said.

Yesterday, Pakistani troops fired mortar bombs into Rajouri district of Jammu & Kashmir killing a BSF officer, barely 24 hours after pledging not to resort to mortar shelling.

As part of efforts to bring peace on the border, India and Pakistan on Saturday decided to put a complete ban on firing of mortar shells along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir which has claimed the lives of several civilians and damaged their houses.

The two sides also agreed to jointly resolve sensitive issues like ceasefire violations and cross-border infiltration through timely exchange of information, including via email and over telephone.

There have been 16 ceasefire violations in September this year. Eleven people, including two jawans, were killed and over 30 injured in August in ceasefire violations by Pakistan.

There have been over 251 violations of the border ceasefire agreement by Pakistan in the year so far, of which 57 were in August.