'120 violations of ceasefire by Pakistan this year'

Jammu, Sept 23: Pakistani troops have violated

on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir over 120 times so far this year, army sources said on Monday, adding that 98 of the LoC violations occurred in the Jammu region alone.

"Up to Sept 17, Pakistan troops have violated the ceasefire 96 times on the Line of Control (LoC) south of Pir Panjal Mountains in Jammu region this year. Two more violations were made by them in Poonch and Rajouri districts on Sept 21 and Sept 22, taking the total number of ceasefire violations to 98 since January 2013 till date in Jammu region," the army source said.

"In 2012, the total number of violations on the LoC by Pakistan in the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir, including the Ladakh region, was 93. And this year, these violations in the entire state have been more than 120", defence sources said.

Indian troops have been responding with caution to Pakistan small arms and automatic firings at Indian positions. India has been accusing Pakistan of frequent violations of the bilateral ceasefire agreement signed by the two nuclear-powered South Asian neighbours in November 2003.

A modicum of normalcy had returned to the lives of thousands of people living close to the LoC in divided Kashmir over the past decade, which is now frequently disturbed.

The LOC is the de facto border between India and Pakistan in divided Kashmir.

Residents of areas along the LoC, especially in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu region, have started shifting their families to safer areas, fearing damage to lives, crops, livestock and properties.

IANS