J&K: Pak violates ceasefire along LoC in Rajouri sector, 3rd violation in 24 hours

Challenging Indian troops along Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan violated the ceasefire and shelled forward posts and civilian areas (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, the third such violation in 24 hours.

"Pakistani Army initiated indiscriminate firing of smallarms, automatic and mortar shells from 1100 hours today onIndian Army posts along the LoC in Bhimbher Gali (BG) sectorof Rajouri district," a defence spokesman said.

Army troops deployed on forward posts retaliated strongly and effectively, the spokesman said, adding the exchange offering continued till last reports came in. Today's ceasefire violation is the third such incident in less than 24 hours along the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts.

Yesterday, Pakistani troops had resorted to firing and shelling of mortar bombs on forward posts in Balakote sector of Rajouri district from 1100 hours and it continued for some hours.

The Pakistani army had also initiated indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatic and mortar shells from 0930hours yesterday on Indian Army posts along the LoC in Digwararea in Poonch sector. Heavy mortar shelling in Digwar area created fear psychosis among the residents. In the same area, a Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO), Naib Subedar S Sanayaima Som, was killed in an improvise dexplosive device (IED) blast on April 1.

There had been four ceasefire violations along the LoC inPoonch in March. On March 19, Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire byresorting to shelling and firing along the LoC in BhimbherGali area of Poonch district.

Also Read | J&K: Pakistan violates ceasefire along LoC in Poonch, India retaliates

On March 13, Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling and firing by automatic weapons along the Line of Control(LoC) in Poonch sector. On March 12, Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire by resorting to firing and mortar shelling in Krishnagati andChakan Da Bagh sectors along the LoC in Poonch district.

Pakistani shelling caused damage to the LoC TradeFacilitation centre and LOC travel and trade was suspended for a few days. On March 9, army jawan Deepak Jagannath Ghadge was killed when Pakistani soldiers initiated indiscriminate and unprovoked firing along the LoC in Poonch.

In 2016, 228 instances of ceasefire violations along theLoC were reported while there were 221 instances of ceasefireviolations along International Border (IB).

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