Pakistan troops violate truce twice, villager hurt

JAMMU/KASHMIR: Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire in Arnia and R S Pura sub-sectors in Jammu region and in Kupwara district in Kashmir opening unprovoked firing at Indian forward posts that left a villager injured, BSF and Army officials said today.

Pakistani soldiers resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing targeting 15 to 20 border outposts and civilian areas in Arnia and R S Pura along the International Border in Jammu region at around 2130 hrs last night, A BSF officer said.

The BSF troops retaliated, triggering an intermittent exchange of fire which lasted till 0630 hrs this morning, he said.

An elderly villager identified as Attar Singh was injured in the mortar shelling, the officer said.

Most of the border area in R S Pura and Arnia was shelled by the Pakistani Rangers throughout the night, making it the biggest ceasefire violation this year, he said.

Pakistani troops also violated the truce along Line of Control in Kashmir firing at army posts in Toot Mari Gali sector in Kupwara in Kashmir.

"Pakistani soldiers opened unprovoked firing at our posts in Toot Mari Gali sector this afternoon," an army spokesman said.

Indian troops replied effectively, he said adding no one was injured in the brief exchange of firing.