Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire by targeting Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district with RPGs and heavy machine guns on Saturday morning, leading to a heavy exchange of fire.
“Pak troops have targeted Indian posts by firing rocket propelled grenades (RPGs) and heavy machine guns along the LoC in Doda Battalion forward area in Poonch district since 0730 hours today,” a senior Army officer said.
There was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the firing, he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
Senior Army officials were monitoring the situation following the incident and troops have been asked in other forward areas to intensify round the clock vigilance.
The firing triggered panic among the people in the area, especially in Shahpur Kerni forward belt in Poonch where it stretched for five hours.
This is fifth ceasefire violation in July this year. On July 3, Pakistan violated the ceasefire, with firing on policemen who were at the LoC to retrieve the body of a Pakistani intruder in Sabzian, Poonch. Pakistani troops similarly fired on troops trying to evacuate injured porters after two were killed in IED attack by Pakistani militants along LoC in Poonch on July 8.
ADVERTISEMENT
On July 12, Pakistani Rangers fired on Indian forward posts in Pindi belt along International Border (IB) in Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani troops opened small arms firing on Indian posts in forward area along LoC in Poonch district at on the night of July 22.