Pakistan violates ceasefire again, fires 120 mm mortar bombs along LoC in Poonch

Jammu: Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire twice overnight by targeting Indian posts and civilian areas with 120 mm mortar bombs along the LoC in Poonch district, drawing retaliation from the Army. There have been 21 ceasefire violations along the Indo-Pak border in Jammu region in August. The firing and shelling is going on almost on a daily basis, violating the border ceasefire which came into operation in November 2003. A Defence Spokesman said, “Pakistan troops fired from small arms, mortar bombs of 120 mm and 61 mm range on forward posts along the LoC in Sabzian and Balakote sectors in Poonch district overnight”. [caption id=“attachment_2389006” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational Image. Reuters[/caption] While Pakistani troops fired from automatic weapons and 120 mm mortar shells in Sabzian sector from 2100 hours last, there was firing of small arms and 61 mm mortars along Balakote sector during the period till this morning. Troops effectively retaliated, the spokesman said, adding the was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the firing. On 11 August, the Pakistan Army had violated the ceasefire twice and resorted to unprovoked firing across the Line of Control in Krishna Ghati Sector of Poonch district around 0100 hours yesterday and Bhimbhergali sector in Rajouri district 2310 hours on 10 August night. There have been 19 ceasefire violations along the Indo-Pak border in July in which four persons, including three jawans, were killed and 14 others injured. On 9 August, Pakistani troops had targeted forward Indian posts along the LoC in Hamirpur-Balakote sector of Poonch district overnight, drawing retaliation from the Army. The Hamirpur, Krishnagati and Sabzian sectors in Poonch have been targeted by Pakistan troops for the past three days, possibly to facilitate infiltration from across the border. On 9 August, Pakistani troops had resorted to firing from automatic weapons and mortar shells on forward post in Mandi-Sabzaiyan sector in Poonch. On 7 August, an army jawan was injured as Pakistani troops opened fire at villages and forward posts in Poonch district along the LoC. Pakistani troops had on August 6 resorted to intermittent firing with automatic weapons, rocket projectile grenades and mortar bombs along the LoC in Poonch district. On 5 August, Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire twice and targeted forward posts and hamlets, in which three civilians were injured. PTI