Cross-LoC travel suspended temporarily after Pakistan shelling

JAMMU: The Poonch-based crossborder Trade Facilitation Centre was damaged and the cross-LoC travel had to be suspended on Monday due to heavy shelling by Pakistan, which triggered a sharp reply from the Indian troops.

Pakistani troops resumed heavy mortar shelling and automatic weapon firing at 0640 hours on Monday after a lull of the ceasefire violation that began on Sunday, targeting Indian posts and civilian areas near the Line of Control, said a defence spokesperson.

“There was unprovoked firing by Pakistan Army in Poonch sector from 0640 hours today with 82 mm mortars and automatic weapons,” said the defence spokesman, adding the Pakistani onslaught was “befittingly” responded to. “The Army took position and responded befittingly and an intermittent firing is on presently,” he said, adding, “there has been no casualty on our side”.

A senior district administration officer said: “The travel on cross-LoC Poonch-Rawlakote bus service was suspended today as precaution due to the shelling by Pakistani troops.” Officer said the shelling also damaged the two-storey administrative block of Trade Facilitation Centre (TFC) at Chakan-Da-Bagh area along LoC in Poonch, necessitating evacuation of the TFC officials to safety. Today’s cease-fire breach is the second in the last 20 hours and the third one in four days.

Pakistani troops started shelling in Krishnagati sector along LoC in Poonch district.