Fresh ceasefire violation; mortar shelling, exchanges on

POONCH: Pakistani troops violated ceasefire again today by pounding Indian forward areas with mortar shells along LoC in Poonch district, forcing Indian troops to retaliate strongly resulting in heavy exchanges.

"There was a ceasefire violation along LoC in Mendhar sub-sector of Poonch district around 2.05 PM today," defence spokesman S N Acharya said.

Pakistani troops fired automatic weapons and medium mortar bombs, forcing India to retaliate strongly resulting in heavy exchange of mortar shells, he said.

There was no loss of life or injury to anyone when reports from the area last came in late in the evening, he said.

It may be recalled that Pakistani troops fired on Indian forward posts along LoC in Krishna Ghati, Balakote and Hamirpur belts of Poonch district around 2345 hours last night which lasted till morning, he said.

Pakistan used heavy calibre weaponry apart from mortars and rockets to target Indian positions forcing troops guarding the borderline to retaliate effectively, he said.

There have been 14 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in past nine days, Army officials said.

70 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops have taken place this year from January 1 to August 5, which is 85 per cent more than those during the same period last year, they added.