Poonch, Jammu and Kashmir: Pakistani troop once again violated the ceasefire in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Friday morning. According to reports, some mortar shelling and small arms fire were also done by Pakistan in Rajouri district in the state. News Agency ANI reported that Indian Army is strongly retaliating to the cross-border firing by the Pakistani forces. No loss of lives or injuries have been reported so far.

"Pakistan initiated ceasefire violation around 8 am with the firing of small arms and shelling with mortars along the LoC in Mankote, Krishna Ghati Sector of Poonch district, besides Nowshera Sector in Rajouri district," an army official said adding that Indian Army was retaliating befittingly.

"At about 0800 hours today, Pak army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation with firing of small arms & later shelling with mortars along LoC in Mankote, Krishna Ghati sectors of Poonch district and Nowshera sector of Rajouri district, Defence Public Relations Officer (PRO) told PTI.

Pakistan troops also targeted civilian areas in Mankote area triggering fear psychosis among them, the officials said. It may be recalled that Pakistan army resorted to firing and shelling of mortars along LoC in Nowshera Sector in Rajouri district last Friday. Even on June 10, Paksitani troop restored to unprovoked mortar shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch's Digwar sector.

The Indian Army reported 1,248 cases of ceasefire violations (CFVs) and four casualties along the Line of Control this year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday. In a written response to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Singh said that January saw 203 cases of CFVs, followed by 215 in February.

There were 267 cases of CFVs in March and the army reported three casualties, he said. April and May reported 234 and 221 cases of CFVs, respectively. June recorded 108 cases of CFVs with one battle casualty. Appropriate retaliation to the ceasefire violations, as required, has been carried out by the Indian Army, Singh said.