Gunbattle on in Jammu after another ceasefire breach

Indian and Pakistan security forces in Jammu and Kashmir exchanged a heavy volume of fire across the international border in Jammu and Kashmir's Jammu district late Monday after the latter again breached the ceasefire, officials said.

"Heavy firing exchanges have started again in Arnia and Kanachak areas of R.S. Pura between Indian and Pakistani troopers at 9.30 p.m.," a police officer told IANS.

"The BSF is effectively retaliating to the Pakistan Rangers who are using mortars and automatic weapons to violate the ceasefire on the international border.

"We have kept emergency arrangements in readiness to accommodate residents from the areas those are directly affected by Pakistan shelling. The situation is quite tense in the area," said the officer.

Reports from Arnia and villages around the town said residents have abandoned their homes and are spending the night in makeshift accommodations and houses of relatives away from the affected areas.

The latest exchange of fire broke out after Pakistan Rangers violated the ceasefire on the international border in Jammu district for the third time in a single day.

Five civilians were killed and 29 others, some of them sustaining critical splinter injuries, wounded in Pakistan firing in Arnia during the day.

All lights in Arnia and surrounding villages have been put out and an eerie silence punctured by loud bangs of exploding shells and the fires they emit ruled the villages, which had been abuzz with normal activities of life till Sunday.