Pakistan shells LoC with 120 mm mortar, violates ceasefire

JAMMU: Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire four times today by targeting forward posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Poonch district with 120 mm mortar bombs and opening fire with automatic weapons, drawing retaliation from Indian troops. There were reports of two civilians suffering minor injuries in the firing and shelling. Pakistan shelled posts along the LoC in Shahpur,Krishnagati, Mandi and Sabzian sectors of Poonch district. "Pakistan troops resorted to unprovoked firing in Mandi and Sabzian sectors of Poonch district from 1345 hours today", Defence Spokesman Col Manish Mehta said.

They fired 120 mm, 80 mm mortar bombs, automatic weapons and small arms, he said, adding the exchanges are going on. Earlier Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire in Poonch using small arms, automatic and mortar bombs (in Shahpur) in Poonch, he said. "It has appropriately been responded to, we have given them a befitting reply. The ceasefire violation is still on", he said. A police officer said the firing started at around 1045 hours and is going on. Pakistani troops had earlier briefly opened fire in Krishnagati sector of Poonch district around 0100 hours, officials said. Deputy Commissioner of Poonch, Mohmmad Harun Malik said that as per reports from the border area, two civilian has suffered minor injuries. There have been four ceasefire violations today and 10 since the surgical strikes carried out by Indian Army on the intervening night of September 28 and 29.