Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC in Poonch

JAMMU: In yet another ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops targeted Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, forcing Indian forces to retaliate effectively.

Pakistani troops resorted to heavy firing of automatic and small weapons at Indian posts along the LoC in Mendhar forward areas in Poonch district around 23:45 hours yesterday, Defence Spokesman Munish Mehta said here today.

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 the forward area till 23:55 hours".

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

Earlier on June 27, Pakistan troops resorted to heavy firing of automatic and small weapons at Indian posts along the LoC in Bhimbher Gali-Gambhir forward areas in Poonch.

Pakistani troops also violated the ceasefire along the International Border (IB) in Samba district on June 17 and 18.

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.