Jawan killed in ceasefire violation by Pak forces

An Army jawan was killed today as Pakistani forces violated the ceasefire by firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, an official said.

"Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in the Krishna Ghati sector at around 1250 hours today. Indian Armyretaliated strongly and effectively," a defence spokesman said.

In the exchange of fire, Naik MahendraChemjung was grievously injured and succumbed to injuries,he added.

Chemjung, 35, belonged to Chilingdin in Nepal and is survived by his wife Nayan KalaChemjung and a son, the spokesman said.

"Chemjung was a brave and sinceresoldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for thesupreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," he added.

Yesterday, two minors werekilled and 12 civilians injured in cross-border shelling byPakistan along the LoC in Poonch district.

Five children were among the injured, the youngestbeing five-year-old Zobia Kousar, who was airlifted to ahospital in Jammu.