Our forces "giving a befitting response" to Pak: Defence Ministry

Taking serious note of the ongoing ceasefire violations from the other side of the border, the Ministry of Defence on Monday said the security forces are giving a befitting reply, adding that it was extremely unfortunate on the part of the hostile Asian neighbour to target the civilian areas.

Defence Ministry PRO Lieutenant Colonel Manish Mehta on Monday expressed grief over a brave soldier sacrificing his life for the nation in the unprovoked ceasefire violation.

"Since morning at 9'o clock, unprovoked ceasefire violation has been carried out by Pakistan in Balakote Sector. We are responding to it befittingly and hitting them where it hits them the maximum," Lieutenant Colonel Mehta told ANI.

"One of our brave soldiers has been martyred in this unprovoked ceasefire and we have had a casualty. It is very unfortunate that they are targeting our civilian areas, they are targeting our citizens. They are using 120 mm mortars," he added.

Meanwhile, an army jawan and a woman have been killed as the Pakistani troops resorted to heavy mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Mendhar sectors. The jawan died in Rajouri sector where Pakistani troops targeted Manjakote and Ghambir areas.

Two army jawans received injuries post the ceasefire violations in Bala Kote village of Mendhar. They have been shifted to the command hospital in Udhampur for treatment.