Pakistan Army shells villages along LoC in Poonch

JAMMU: Pakistani troops today violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control and shelled civilian hamlets and forward posts in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, prompting a strong retaliation from the Indian Army, a defence spokesman said.

"Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics and mortars from 0745 hours in Bhimbher Gali sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district," the spokesman said.

The firing was still on, the official said, adding that the Indian Army was retaliating strongly and effectively to the provocation.

The heavy firing and mortar shelling by the Pakistan Army was intermittently targeting civilian and forward areas in Balakote, Basooni, Sandote, Manjakote areas, a police officer said.

Last week, the Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked and indiscriminate firing in the Bhimber Gali sector along the Line of Control (LoC), deliberately targeting villages of Basauni and Sandot in the Balakote area resulting in injuries to two children and two teenagers.

On October 13, the Pakistan Army had violated the ceasefire in the Krishnagati sector along LoC.

A day before that, an army jawan and a porter were killed and six others injured when Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire and resorted to shelling at the forward areas along the LoC in the Poonch district.

The year 2017 has seen a sharp increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan.