Pakistan resorts to heavy shelling along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir`s Poonch

The Pakistan army violated ceasefire on Wednesday along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir`s Poonch district.

The Pakistan army violated ceasefire on Wednesday and resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling in forward areas along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian Army retaliated befittingly.

"At about 6.10 pm, Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars along the LoC in Shahpur and Kirni sectors in Poonch district," an official statement read. Pakistan troops have violated ceasefire 37 times this month said news agency PTI.

Earlier, Pakistani Rangers also violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing on forward posts and hamlets along the International Border (IB) in Hiranagar sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Kathua district, PTI reported.

The cross-border firing in the border outpost areas of Satpal, Manyari, Karol Krishna and Gurnam started around 9.10 pm on Tuesday, prompting strong and effective retaliation by the Border Security Force (BSF). It continued till early morning.

On November 14, four Indian Army soldiers and a BSF personal were martyred and four civilians were also killed along LoC in Pakistan firing. Meanwhile, dozens others three soldiers were also injured.

On October 1, an Army jawan was killed and another injured when the Pakistan army violated the ceasefire and resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling along the LoC in Krishnagati area of Poonch district, the officials said.

An Army personnel was killed and two others, including an officer, injured on September 5 as Pakistani troops violated ceasefire by heavy firing and mortar shelling along the LoC in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district, they said.

On September 2, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was killed in ceasefire violation by the Pakistan army along the LoC in Keri sector of Rajouri.

A total of 3,589 ceasefire violations by Pakistan were reported along the LoC and the International Border till October 6, 2020, as compared to a total of 3,168 in 2019. The highest 427 ceasefire violations took place in September followed by 411 in March and 408 in August, PTI said, adding that July recorded 398 ceasefire violations, June and April (387 each), May (382), February (366) and January (367).