Another Army jawan martyred as Pakistan opens fire in Mendhar sector of J&K's Poonch

Srinagar: An Indian Army soldier on Saturday died in a ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in Mendhar sector of Jammu and Kashmir's of Poonch.

Soldier Chandan Kumar Rai have lost his life in ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Mendhar sector of Poonch #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/LfXlpi22KC — ANI (@ANI) January 21, 2018

Pakistan Rangers initiated the unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms and automatics in the Mendhar area from 4.20 pm.

The soldier has been identified as Chandan Kumar Rai. 25-year-old Rai hailed from Nadesar Village of Sakaldiha tehsil District Chandauli, Uttar Pradesh. He is survived by his Satya Prakash Rai.

The Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively.

Earlier in the same day, another Indian Army soldier died in shelling along the LoC in Krishna Ghati sector of J&K.

Jammu and Kashmir has been reeling under cross-border firing tensions since the last few days.

As many as 10 persons, including six civilians and four jawans, were killed and nearly 50 including some jawans were injured in separate incidents of ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops.

A 'red alert' was declared by the state police and border dwellers were asked to move to safer areas.

Five border district of Jammu - Samba, Kathua, Rajouri and Poonch are affected due to the violations of the ceasefire.

In the wake of increased tension due to the shelling, over 300 educational institutes along the International Border and LoC have been shut down for the next three days by the administration.

Meanwhile, the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan Syed Haider Shah was summoned by Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). He was conveyed government's grave concerns at the continued ceasefire violations and deliberate targeting of innocent civilians by Pakistan forces.