Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC in Nowshera, Krishna Ghati

In recent days, the ceasefire violation along the LoC by Pakistan has increased considerably. (AFP Photo)

JAMMU: Indian and Pakistani troops traded heavy fire on Thursday along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir after Pakistan violated the ceasefire by shelling mortars and opening fire on forward posts along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts. Pakistan's unprovoked firing followed retaliation from Indian troops. The firing in Naushera started at 7.20 a.m., and at 7.40 a.m. in Krishna Ghati. "Pakistan Army resorted to mortar shelling and firing on forward posts along the LoC in Nowshera sector in Rajouri district from 0730 hours", a Defence Spokesman told PTI. "The Indian Army posts are retaliating strongly and effectively and the firing is presently on", he said. The Army had on Sunday foiled an infiltration bid in Krishnagati sector of Poonch even as it shot dead an intruder in an ambush. On May 17, Pakistan Army had fired on forward posts along the LoC in Balakote sector in Rajouri district. The Pakistan Army had shelled forward areas and civilian belts along the LoC in Rajouri district on May 15 and 16. The firing and shelling by the Pakistan Army in May this year has affected over 12,000 people. The Pakistani Army had on May 13 pounded civilian areas and forward posts along the LoC in Nowshera area with mortars, killing two civilians and injuring three The Home Ministry in an RTI reply had said that at least one incident of ceasefire violation by Pakistan took place daily along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in 2015 and 2016 in which 23 security personnel lost their lives. As many as 1,142 terror incidents were reported in the state between 2012 and 2016 in which 236 security personnel and 90 civilians were killed, it said in reply to an RTI query filed by a PTI Bhasha correspondent. (With PTI inputs)