Indian and Pakistani troops were locked in heavy clashes on Thursday on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district.

Defence Ministry spokesman Lt Col Devender Anand accused the Pakistan Arny of using small arms and mortar shells to target Indian positions in Sunderbani sector without any provocation in violation of the 2003 ceasefire pact.

"The Pakistani firing stated around 9.15 a.m. The Indian Army retaliated strongly. Firing exchanges are still going on," the official said.

So far this year, over two dozen firing exchanges have taken place between the two armies, Defence Ministry sources say.

On Wednesday, heavy firing took place between the two armies in Mendhar sector of Poonch district.

--IANS

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