Army jawan hurt in Pak sniping on LoC

JAMMU: Two days after martyrdom of three soldiers in an explosion caused by an IED planted by Pakistan, followed by cross-firing from the other side of the fence, an Army personnel was injured in sniper fire on Sunday when enemy troops violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district.

The soldier, manning a forward post, was hit by a bullet apparently from a Pakistani sniper in Keri sector and was hospitalised, officials said, adding the Indian troops retaliated and the exchange of fire between the two sides continued for some time.

There has been a spurt in ceasefire violations along the LoC in the twin districts of Rajouri and Poonch since the beginning of this year, resulting in the killing of two army personnel and injuries to several others.

The army major and a soldier were killed when an improvised explosive device went off in Naushera sector of Rajouri on Friday, the day when a porter was also killed in Pakistani firing in nearby Sunderbani sector.

The year 2018 recorded 2,936 ceasefire violations by Pakistan the highest in the past 15 years with an average of eight cases daily in which 61 people were killed and over 250 injured.