After a week, Pakistan again violates LOC ceasefire

After a lull of nearly a week, Pakistan troops Monday again violated the ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC), opening unprovoked firing at Indian positions in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, a defence spokesman said.

The spokesman said Pakistan troops used small arms and automatic weapons to target Indian Army positions in Mendhar sector of Poonch district.

"Pakistani firing started at 1 p.m. Our troops gave a calibrated response to Pakistan fire and the firing exchange continued up to 2 p.m.", he said.

Violations of bilateral ceasefire on the LOC and the international border in Jammu and Kashmir have been seriously worrying thousands of people living close to the border.

Reports said last week many families decided to move out of their villages to escape frequent firing.

India has been accusing Pakistan of violating the ceasefire agreement signed by the two nations in November 2003.