Pakistani troops attack Indian post, villages in J&K's Nowshera, army retaliates

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New Delhi: Pakistani troops resorted to heavy firing on Indian targets, including an army post in Jammu and Kashmir's Nowshera sector on Saturday, but there was no report of casualty.

Several villages along the Line of Control in Nowshera have also been targeted, the Army said.

"There is an unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan army in Nowshera sector's Jhanger area from 1545 hrs on Saturday.

“They are firing 82 mm mortars, automatics and small arms. The Indian Army is responding befittingly to the enemy fire," TOI quoted a defence spokesperson as saying.

The officer said it was the fifth ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in the region.

The latest ceasefire violation comes a day after the Pakistani government expressed its willingness to resume talks with India.

"India wants to speak of terrorism! We also insist on speaking of terrorism, which forms one of the elements of the comprehensive dialogue process," Foreign Office spokesperson Nafees Zakaria told reporters.

She also welcomed US envoy to UN Nikki Haley's suggestion that the US was ready to mediate on the Kashmir issue.

Zakaria said Pakistan has always welcomed offers of mediation to resolve the outstanding issues regarding Jammu and Kashmir.

"It's absolutely right that this administration is concerned about the relationship between India and Pakistan and very much wants to see how we de-escalate any sort of conflict going forward," Haley had said on Monday.

Ambassador Haley, who is of Indian ancestry, was asked whether Washington would make any effort to get India and Pakistan to engage in peace talks.