Ceasefire violation by Pakistani army in Poonch, Rajouri; India retaliates

JAMMU: Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire twice on Sunday by firing from automatic weapons along the Line of Control (LoC) in Bhimbher Gali and Balakote sectors of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, drawing retaliation from the Indian Army.

“There was unprovoked ceasefire violation by the Pakistani Army in Bhimbher Gali and Balakote sectors from 0600 hours to 0645 hours using 2 inch mortars and automatic weapons,” defence spokesperson lieutenant colonel Manish Mehta said on Sunday.

Army troops gave a befitting reply, he added.

“There was no loss of life or injury on our side,” he said.

This was the fifth ceasefire violation by the neighbour along the border in the Poonch-Rajouri belt in the last 11 days.

On March 13, there was unprovoked ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army in Poonch sector by using 82 mm mortars and automatic weapons.

On March 12, Pakistani troops had resorted to ceasefire violation by firing 82 mm mortars in Krishnagati sector along the LoC in Pooch district.

An army jawan was killed on March 9 when Pakistani soldiers initiated indiscriminate and unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts along the border in Poonch sector.

With the onset of summer, such truce violations by Pakistan become routine on the 744-km long LoC and 198-km long international border.