As Indo-Pak border talks end, Pakistan troops violate ceasefire thrice

Jammu: On a day border guards of India and Pakistan wrapped up their two-day talks, Pakistan troops violated ceasefire thrice by firing on forward posts along Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a late night incident, Pakistan troops resorted to firing with small arms and automatic weapons along the LoC in Poonch and Balakote sectors, a Defence spokesman said.

Indian troops retaliated leading to exchange of fire, he said adding firing is on when last reports came in from the area.

Earlier in the day, the neighbouring country troops opened fired in Rajouri district.

"Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violations in Hamirpur sector of Rajouri district in wee hours today," Jammu-based defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Mehta said, adding that "no casualty or damage was reported".

"The area witnessed ceasefire violations by Pakistan army between 0400 hours and 0500 hours today," he said.

Forward posts maintained by Pakistan fired towards the Indian side using automatic weapons and small arms, he said.

"Our side retaliated appropriately but no casualty or damage was reported," Mehta said.

The firing by Pakistani soldiers came on a day Indo-Pak border guard held meeting in Delhi during which it was agreed yesterday to end ceasefire violations.

They decided to devise new strategies like joint patrolling in some areas along the International Border (IB) in J and K as chiefs of BSF and Pakistan Rangers met against the backdrop of escalation in tension.

Pakistani troops have already violated the ceasefire eleven times in September this year.