After Lull of Over 4 Months, Pakistan Violates Ceasefire in J&K

Today’s ceasefire violation comes after four months; according to last reports, firing from both sides is underway.

Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers on night patrol near the fenced border with Pakistan. (Photo: Reuters)

After a lull of over four months, the ceasefire on the Line of Control was violated again with the Pakistani Army firing at two places and shelling mortars in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir today.

Indian troops retaliated to the firing which was still going on when last reports came in.

The Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

<b>Lt Col Manish Mehta, Defence Spokesman</b>

He said the Pakistan Army had been resorting to heavy mortar, small arm and automatic weapon fire in Poonch sector since 3 am.

Our troops are responding appropriately and no casualties or damage to our troops have been reported since the last report came in. The firing was still going on.

<b>Lt Col Manish Mehta, Defence Spokesman</b>

Today’s ceasefire violation comes after over four months as the last such incident took place on April 10, this year in Poonch sector.

Pakistan had earlier violated the ceasefire on September 18, 2015 in Balakote sector of Poonch district.

Last year, 16 civilians were killed and 71 others injured in 405 incidents of cross-border firing by Pakistan, the officer said.

While 253 incidents of ceasefire violations took place along the International Border (IB), 152 incidents were reported along the LoC, he said.

Around 8,000 people were temporarily affected due to the ceasefire violations and had to be shifted to safer locations.