Pakistan violates ceasefire in Poonch; Army jawan killed

There was a ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army on a forward post along the LoC in Mankote-Balnoie sector of the district, Army sources said.

Jammu: An Indian Army jawan was killed in Pakistani firing from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

The Indian troops retaliated "strongly and effectively" to the Pakistani firing, an Army officer said.

"Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in Krishnagati sector at around 1450 hours today," the officer said.

In the firing, Sepoy Pawan Singh Sugra was grievously injured and succumbed to his injuries, the officer said.

Sugra, aged 21, belonged to Sugri village of Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand. He leaves behind his parents.

"Sepoy Pawan Singh Sugra was a brave and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty," the Army said.

Yesterday, an Army jawan was injured in a ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops along the LoC in the Uri sector of Baramulla district.

On August 07, the Pakistani Army had violated the ceasefire by firing at Indian posts along the LoC in Baba Khori belt of Naushera sector of Rajouri district.

Till August 01, there had been 285 such violations by the Pakistan Army while in 2016, the number was significantly less at 228 for the entire year, according to figures of the Indian Army.