Major among two hurt in Pak firing

JAMMU: An Army major and a BSF head constable were injured as Pakistani troops on Thursday violated ceasefire for a third consecutive day, shelling forward posts and civilian areas along the Line of Control in Poonch district inviting a strong retaliation from Indian forces.

"The Pakistani army resorted to firing and shelling on forward posts along the LoC in Poonch sector Thursday morning," officials said.

Army Major Yadvendra and BSF head constable Mumtaz Ali, who were deployed in Bhimber Gali area were injured in the firing, they said, adding both were evacuated to hospital and their condition was stated to be stable.

Pointing out that it was the eighth incident of ceasefire violation by Pakistan during the last three days and second during Thursday, sources said that troops across the LoC suddenly started firing from small arms in BG sector in the afternoon.

Earlier in the morning, they resorted to small arms fire and mortar shelling in Digwar area, sources said.
The Indian army retaliated at both the places and firing from Pakistan side stopped after some time, they added.

On Wednesday as well, Pakistani troops had fired on and shelled the Kalal forward area in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district twice, they said, adding the Pakistani army fired on forward posts along the LoC Poonch district on Tuesday as well.

The continuous shelling and firing on villages has set in a fear psychosis among the border dwellers.
With the latest incident, Pakistani troops resorted to firing and shelling along the LoC in Poonch seven of first 10 days of the new year.

The year 2018 witnessed the highest number of ceasefire violations -- 2,936 -- by Pakistan troops in the last 15 years along the Indo-Pak border.


Despite repeated calls, made during Indo-Pak flag meetings, for restraint and adherence to the ceasefire understanding of 2003 for maintaining peace and tranquillity, the Indo-Pak border areas witnessed shelling and firing.