Pakistan Rangers violate ceasefire, shell BSF posts in Jammu

Jammu/Islamabad: Ahead of India-Pakistan World Cup cricket match, both the countries on Saturday traded accusations of violating ceasefire along the border area.

"Pakistan Rangers fired a 82 mm mortar shell at Nawa Pind BSF outpost in RS Pura sector of the International Border at 7 pm," a senior police officer said, IANS reported.

He further said, "The shells exploded at an isolated areas and did not caused any casualty or injury to anyone on this side," adding that the BSF did not retaliate.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Army today claimed that a 60-year-old civilian was killed today in alleged firing by Indian troops across the Line of Control (LoC).

Muhammad Aslam was killed in Polas village in Rawlakot sector this afternoon, Pakistan army said in a statement.

"He received three bullets in abdomen while he was cutting grass and wood 100-150 metres towards our side of LoC," it said.

Pakistan lodged a protest with the Indian government through diplomatic channels over the incident, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Condemning the incident, Pakistan called upon India to restrain its security forces from firing on civilians, and stop the ceasefire violations across the Line of Control and the Working Boundary", it added.

Pakistan and India have fought two wars over Muslim-majority Kashmir, which both countries administer in part but claim in full.

Pakistan and India traded blame for the upsurge in firing and shelling across the LoC, which started on October 6 last year.

(With Agency inputs)