Pak targets forward posts, hamlets in Poonch, Rajouri

JAMMU: In yet another ceasefire violation, the Pakistan army resorted to firing and mortar shelling on forward posts along the Line of Control for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, with deafening sounds of mortar shell explosions creating panic again among nearby dwellers.

The gunfire was traded along the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts, defence officials said.

The first clash took place in Poonch district where Pakistani troops targeted posts in Gulpur and Khadi Karmara, Defence Ministry sources said.

“Pakistan troopers resorted to unprovoked firing at Indian positions in Gulpur and Khari Karmara areas at around 8.15 a.m. They used automatics and mortars.

“Our troops retaliated strongly. No casualty or damage was reported on our side," an official said.
Later, the Pakistan Army used mortars to target Indian positions in Kalal area of Rajouri district.

"Our troops are retaliating strongly. Firing exchanges are going on," the official said.

Pakistan has been increasingly violating the 2003 ceasefire agreement with India.

It has resorted to firing and shelling along LoC five times in the past seven days, including on Tuesday. During the past one week, Pakistani troops have targeted forward posts in Mankote, Khadi Karmara, Gulpur areas without any causality.

Also, the year 2018 witnessed the highest 2,936 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in the past 15 years.

Northern Command chief Lt Gen Ranbir Singh Monday visited forward areas and reviewed security situation in Jammu and Rajouri districts.