Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire for the fifth day today increasing the arch of firing and shelling along LoC by targeting scores of Indian posts and civilian areas in three districts of Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch, drawing retaliation from the Army.
The latest escalation from Pakistani side is apparently aimed at helping militants to infiltrate from across the border ahead of Independence Day to carry out attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
There have been four ceasefire violations in three sectors of Krishnagati, Bhimbhergali and Pallanwala in Poonch, Rajouri and Jammu districts overnight and a total of seven such violations since yesterday, they said.
Troops guarding the LoC retaliated resulting in exchanges, Defence Spokesman Lt Col Manish Mehta said, adding there was no loss of life or injury to any one in the firing.
Pakistan troops resorted to small arms firing intermittently on forward posts along LoC in KG, BG and Pallanwala sectors of Poonch, Rajouri and Jammu districts between 8 PM yesterday and 5 AM this morning, he said.
There was firing from Pakistan between 2000 hours to 2015 hours in KG sector, 1230 hours to 0130 hours in BG sector and 0100 to 0110 hours and 0415 hours to 0510 hours in Pallanwala sector overnight, Lt Col Mehta said.
There have been 26 violations of the 2003 ceasefire in August this year and it is fifth consecutive day of firing and shelling by Pakistan along LoC in Jammu region.
Last month, there were 19 ceasefire violations in which four persons, including three jawans, were killed and 14 others injured.
Pakistan violated ceasefire 192 times along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir till July 26 this year, government had told Lok Sabha.
Yesterday, Pakistani troops targeted Army posts and civilian areas with automatic weapons, mortar bombs and rockets in Sabzian-Mandi and Poonch sectors.
A youth was killed and two others, including a BSF jawan, were injured when Pakistani troops had targeted border outposts and hamlets along the International Border in 4 sectors of Kanachak, Pargwal, Tawi and R S Pura in Jammu district on August 4.
Three civilians and a jawan were injured in violations on August 7 and 8.