Pak violates ceasefire again, fires 7000 round of ammunition

Amid heightened tension on the border over the killing of five Indian soldiers, Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire yet again by firing 7000 rounds of heavy ammunition and mortar shells for seven hours at Indian posts along the LoC in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

The fresh ceasefire violation late last night, which the Indian Army termed as the "biggest ceasefire violation" in recent times, comes four days after five Indian soldiers were killed by specialist troops of the Pakistan Army on the LoC.

There was no loss of life in the firing from across the border to which the Indian Army fired back effectively.

"Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing on several Indian forward posts along LoC in Durga Battalion area in Poonch district around 2220 hours last night," Defence Spokesman S N Acharya said today.

"They fired 7000 rounds of heavy weaponry Pika ammunition and medium mortars targeting several Indian posts in order to cause heavy causalities till 0430 hours," the Spokesman, said adding that it was "biggest ceasefire violation."

Army troops guarding the borderline took positions and fired back effectively, he said, adding that troops also fired 4595 rounds of Medium Machine Guns (MMGs), INSAS rifles and KPWT Machine guns besides 111 RPGs, 11 rockets and 18 mortar shells of 81 mm in retaliatory action.

There was no loss of life in the firing from across the border, spokesman said, adding tension is prevailing along the borderline.

The sound of heavy firing and mortar blasts was heard in Poonch town and the firing exchanges triggered panic among the people living in the area.

On August six, a group of 20 heavily armed men led by Pakistani troops had entered 450 metres into the Indian territory in the Poonch sector in Jammu and Kashmir and ambushed a patrol killing five Indian soldiers.