Pak violates ceasefire twice along LoC in Poonch

Jammu, Oct 17: Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire twice by firing with small arms and automatic weapons on Indian posts along the LoC in Poonch district, drawing retaliation from the Army.

"There was small arms and automatic weapons firing by Pakistani troops on Indian posts along the LoC in Hamirpur sector of Poonch district around 0955 hours today, a senior Army officer said.

Troops guarding the borderline retaliated, resulting in exchanges which were going on when reports last came in. Pakistani troops had also targeted forward areas along LoC in Hamirpur sector of Poonch from 2100 hours to 2245 hours last night, drawing retaliation from Indian troops, he said.

"There was no loss of life or injury to anyone in Pakistani firing on troops side", he said. Before these two ceasefire violations, Pakistan had violated the ceasefire by resorting to firing and mortar shelling along the LoC in Saujian-Kirni-Shahpur belts of Poonch on October 15 in which seven-year-old Riyaz of Kuiyian Gotirian village was injured.

"International Border has remained calm for the past few days," Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Zone, Shant Manu said.

The IB and LoC in Jammu region have witnessed heavy firing and mortar shelling by Pakistani troops since October one which has left eight persons dead and over 95 injured, including 13 security men.

Besides nearly 30,000 people have fled from their border homes leaving 113 hamlets deserted along the IB.

PTI