Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC in Poonch

JAMMU: Pakistan violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu & Kashmir’s Poonch district late on Saturday, attracting prompt retaliation from the Indian side.
“At around 7.45pm, Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by resorting to firing with small arms and mortar shelling along the LoC in Degwar sector of Poonch. Indian Army retaliated befittingly to the breach of truce,” said Jammu-based defence spokesman Lt Col Devender Anand.
There has been a spurt in Pakistani shelling along the LoC and International Border in J&K this year with over 2,027 cases of violation being reported in the first six months, till June 10.
Two Pakistan soldiers were killed on July 2 and several bunkers destroyed in retaliatory action by the Indian Army to the ceasefire violation by Pakistan on LoC in three sectors of Poonch district.
Four Indian soldiers were killed in the ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Rajouri and Poonch districts in June — Havildar Mathiazhagan P from Tamil Nadu was killed on June 4 in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district, Naik Gurcharan Singh (28) of Punjab was killed on June 10 in Manjakote sector of the same district and Sepoy Lungambui Abonmei (29) was severely injured in Kirni sector of Poonch and succumbed to his injuries on June 13 and Havildar Dipak Karki was critically injured in the firing and later succumbed to his injuries in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district on June 22.
National Conference leader Devender Singh Rana expressed concern over recent spurt in LoC shelling and sought early completion of community bunkers. “During these grim times of Covid-19, the people along LoC are braving the brunt of Pakistan shelling that has not only created fear psychosis but also caused enormous suffering”, Rana said in an interaction with party functionaries of Poonch district via video conferencing. He expressed solidarity with border residents, saying their welfare is the responsibility of the entire nation.