Pakistan resorts to multiple ceasefire violations across LoC in Nowshera, schools closed in Poonch

Pakistan resorted to multiple ceasefire violations across the Line of Control with shelling artillery, mortars and firing of small arms in Jammu and Kashmir’s Nowshera Sector in Rajouri district on Tuesday. According to the Indian Army, the ceasefire violations occurred at around 11:30 am earlier in the day. The statement comes amid reports of killing of Pakistani soldiers in massive retaliation by the Indian forces.

Seven Pakistani posts across the LoC were destroyed as the Indian Army retaliated to cross border shelling by Pakistani troops who targeted border areas in Rajouri and Poonch districts, officials said Tuesday.

There have been several casualties to Pakistani troops too, they said. “Yes we have info we are waiting for more confirmation,” BSF DG RK Mishra said on Pakistani soldiers’ killing. As a precautionary measure, all schools along the borderline in Poonch and Rajouri districts have been closed by authorities in view of the Pakistani shelling.

On Monday, a BSF inspector and a five-year-old girl were among three persons killed while 24 others were injured as Pakistani troops heavily shelled forward areas along the Line of Control in Poonch district, prompting the Indian Army to retaliate "befittingly", said officials.

There was heavy mortar shelling and firing along LOC in Poonch district and Nowshera sector of Rajouri district till Tuesday morning", officials said.

There was also firing and shelling by Pakistan troops in Shahpur sub-sector in Poonch and Nowshera on Tuesday, they said.

In the retaliation carried out by Indian troops, seven Pakistan posts across the LoC in Rakhchikri and Rawalakote forward areas of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) were destroyed, they said adding  there have been several causalities on the Pakistan side.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) of Pakistan has said three Pakistan Army soldiers were killed on Tuesday in retaliation carried out by Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC).

“Pakistan has been using heavy weaponry and 120 mm mortar bombs to target civilian areas along the LoC in Poonch, triggering panic among villagers,” they said.

Amid the ongoing shelling by Pakistan, people have been advised to stay indoors, the officials said.

Meanwhile, the Northern Army Commander, who is on a two-day visit to the valley, chaired a joint key security meeting at Badami Bagh headquarters of Chinar Corps, an Army official said.

He said the meeting was attended by senior officials of various security agencies, including Army, J-K Police, CRPF and BSF.

The meeting reviewed the current situation in the valley and evolved a strategy for the summer months, including security-related strategy for the forthcoming Parliamentary elections, the official said.

The Army commander, Northern Command, Monday began his two-day visit to Kashmir valley to review the security situation in the backdrop of recent counter-militancy operations and the forthcoming polls.

On the first day of his visit, Lt Gen Singh visited the forward areas in the frontier district of Baramulla in north Kashmir, where he was briefed by commanders on the ground about the current situation.

During the visit, the Army Commander was briefed on the counter infiltration grid and operational preparedness of the formations apart from various developmental works being undertaken to improve the life of the people residing in remote areas.