Pakistan violates ceasefire for 22 consecutive days, Indian troops retaliate

Jammu: For the 22nd day in succession, the Pakistan Army today violated the ceasefire on the Line of Control by resorting to unprovoked firing in Poonch district, prompting Indian forces to retaliate strongly.

Troops of the neighbouring country violated the truce by shelling forward posts and civilian areas in Poonch.

"Pakistani Army violated ceasefire again - they fired from automatic weapons on forward posts along LoC in Bhimber Gali (BG) of Poonch district around 1500 hours today," Defence spokesman Colonel RK Palta said.

Pakistani troops also fired indiscriminately with small arms at civilian areas, he said.

Indian troops guarding the border retaliated strongly, triggering exchanges which ended around 1515 hours today, Colonel Palta said, adding that there were no reports of loss of life or injury to anyone.

Pakistan had violated ceasefire thrice in Poonch district yesterday.

Pakistan troops resorted to firing and mortar shelling in Garhi, Mendhar and Poonch forward areas along LoC and it continued till 1800 hours yesterday.

They have been violating the ceasefire daily since August 6, when its special forces killed five Indian soldiers in Poonch.

There have been over 80 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops this year from January 1.