Pakistani troops again violate ceasefire along LoC

Pakistani troops fired on civilian areas and military positions along the Line of Control in Poonch district overnight, drawing retaliation from the Army.

There have been 47 violations of the border ceasefire agreement of 2003 by Pakistan in August and over 240 ceasefire violations during the year so far.

A Defence Spokesman said here that "Pakistan troops resorted to firing on forward posts along the LoC in Balakote and Poonch sectors overnight".

While firing from Pakistan side ended around 2200 hours in Balakote sector, it ended around 2330 hours in Poonch sector, he said.

"We responded appropriately and effectively to the firing," the spokesman said.

Expanding the arch of its targets, Pakistani Rangers had pounded civilian areas and military positions along the International Border (IB) in R S pura and Arnia sectors of Jammu district on intervening night of August 17-18, injuring a villager.

Pakistan troops had yesterday violated the ceasefire five times by targeting civilian hamlets with 120 mm, 82 mm and 60 mm mortar bombs along the IB and LoC in Poonch, Balakote, Hamirpur, R S Pura and Arnia sectors of Poonch and Jammu districts,

On the intervening night of August 16-17, Pakistan troops had resorted to ceasefire violations in Saujiyan and Mandi sectors of Poonch district and shelled forward posts and civilian areas with 120 mm and 82 mm mortar bombs and heavy machine guns (HMGs).

On August 16, a woman was killed and five persons were injured as Pakistani troops fired 120 mm and 82 mm mortars bombs, HMGs and RPGs on border posts and civilian areas in Poonch and Rajouri districts.

There have been repeated ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the over 110 kms long borderline in Poonch, Sujiyan, Balakote, Hamirpur, Mandi sectors in Poonch district and Manjakote sector in Rajouri district between August 15 and 16.

On Independence Day, five civilians, including a sarpanch were killed and five others injured in heavy firing and mortar bomb shelling by Pakistani troops at several Indian posts and civilian areas.

Last month, there were 19 ceasefire violations in which four persons, including three jawans, were killed and 14 others injured.