Poonch: Pakistani troops violate ceasefire, target Army posts and villages
Pakistani troops today resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violations targeting forward posts and villages at four places along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said. The firing was intense in the Krishna Ghati sector, where the Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling and firing by small arms from around 04.30 am. It was retaliated to befittingly by the Indian Army.
Cross-border shelling continued till 7:30 am, no casualty reported: Spokesman
The cross-border shelling between the two sides continued till 07.30 am, a defense spokesman said, adding that there was no report of any casualty on the Indian side. Officials said firing and shelling by Pakistan were also reported from the Balnoi and Mankote (both in Mendhar sector), besides from Shahpur sector, all in Poonch district, for a brief period in the early hours today.
Increase in ceasefire violations since India bombed JeM terror camp
The firing was mild in nature and lasted for a brief period without causing any harm, said the officials. On late Saturday as well, the Pakistan army had targeted Indian positions In Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district for several hours. There has been a spurt in ceasefire violations by Pakistan after India's preemptive air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan.
JeM attack in Pulwama killed 40 CRPF personnel on February-14
India bombed JeM terror camp in Balakot on February 26 following the February 14 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed. Four civilians, including three members of a family, were killed and several others injured as Pakistan targeted over 80 villages in more than 100 incidents of ceasefire violations along the LoC in the state since then.
Border residents in panic because of frequent ceasefire violations
The frequent ceasefire violations have caused panic among the residents living along the border, forcing authorities to close down educational institutions within 5 km radius from the zero line in the twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri as a precautionary measure. However, most of the schools reopened a few days back after the intensity of the cross-border firing decreased.
