Pakistan shells forward areas in J-K’s Poonch, violates ceasefire for fourth consecutive day

Pakistani troops on Monday violated the ceasefire by targeting forward posts and villages along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, sparking panic among border residents, officials said. This is the fourth consecutive day that Pakistan has violated the ceasefire. “Pakistan violated the ceasefire around 7.40 am by shelling mortars and firing with small arms along the LoC in Shahpur and Kerni sectors of Poonch district,” a defence spokesman said. "The Indian Army is retaliating," the spokesman said.

Mortar shells have landed in different villages of Qasba, Kerni, Guntariyan, and Shahpur, forcing the people to stay indoors and take precautionary measures to avoid any casualty, they said.

Intense shelling is going on but there was no report of any casualty on the Indian side so far, the officials said, adding all schools in shelling-hit areas have been closed as a precautionary measure.

On Sunday, Pakistan violated the ceasefire in Rajouri. "At about 0900 hours, Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling with mortars and firing of small arms along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri. The Indian Army is retaliating befittingly," the spokesman said. There are no reports of any casualty in the ceasefire violation which was still continuing when last reports came in.

Earlier on Saturday, heavy exchange of fire took place between Indian and Pakistani armies at the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. A civilian was injured when Pakistan Army lobbed mortar shells in Mankote sector of Poonch district.