Pakistan violates ceasefire along Line of Control in Poonch

JAMMU: Pakistani troops today violated the ceasefire and targeted Indian posts with automatic and small weapons along the Line of Control ( LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting Indian forces to retaliate effectively.

Pakistani troops resorted to heavy firing at Indian posts along the LoC in Bhimbher Gali-Gambhir forward areas of Poonch around 0035 hours, a senior Army officer said here.

Indian troops guarding the border retaliated effectively with equal calibre weapons resulting in intermittent exchange of fire, he said, adding that the "exchange continued in forward area till 0130 hours".

There was no death or injury to anyone on this side of the LoC due to the firing, he said.

Earlier, the Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire along the International Border in Samba district on June 17 and 18 when Pakistani Rangers resorted to firing on 6-HR BoP in Suchetgarh-Kullian forward belt.

On June 13, Pakistan troops had resorted to heavy firing of mortar shells and automatic weapons on Indian posts along the LoC in Mendhar-Bhimber Gali-Keri forward areas in Poonch district.

There were 19 incidents of ceasefire violation along the LoC in April-May.

In 2013, 12 jawans were killed and 41 others injured in ceasefire violations and firing by Pakistani troops on forward posts, civilian areas and patrolling parties along Indo-Pak border. The ceasefire violations last year were a record 149.