Pak violates ceasefire again, targets posts in Poonch

In yet another ceasefire violation, Pakistan troops targeted several Indian posts by opening small arms firing along the Line of Control in the Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

"Pakistan troops have fired on several Indian posts along the Indo-Pak border in Krishnagati sub-sector of Poonch district late Wednesday night," a senior army officer told PTI. "They have also violated the ceasefire", he said.

The small arms firing was resorted to by Pakistan troops from their posts Daku, Shiv, Battal on Indian posts of Kripan, Kranti and Kranti 1 along the Line of Control from 22:15 hours till 22:30 hours.

The firing took place later again around 00:05 hours to 00:40 hours. Indian troops guarding the border fired effectively, the officer said.

There was no loss of life or damage to property in the firing, he said.

This is fourth ceasefire violation in past four days.

Pakistan security personnel had on the night of August 6 targeted the Border Security Force's border outpost of Pansar along the International Border in the Hiranagar sector of Kathua district resulting in injuries to two BSF jawans.

On August 6, Pakistan troops had opened indiscriminate firing on the forward posts along the LoC in the Shahpur Kerni forward belt of Poonch sector and it continued intermittently for a few hours as army troops also replied.

On August 5, Pakistan Rangers fired on Indian BOPs in Kote Kuba area along IB in R S Pura sector in Jammu district.

On August 7, India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over ceasefire violations along the LoC and the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir.

The firings and ceasefire violations by Pakistan comes close on the heels of detection of a 400-meter long tunnel built by them in Samba sector on July 28 and subsequent lodging of a strong protest over the issue on July 31.

A similar situation had developed in Jammu and Kashmir in the month of June this year in Poonch sector along the LoC when Pakistan violated the ceasefire five times by opening heavy and small arms firing and rocket attacks on Indian posts in Poonch sector in which two jawans were killed and four others injured.

There were five ceasefire violations between June 11 to June 16 this year along the LoC in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

A brigade commanders's flag meeting was held on June 23, 2012 at Chakan-Da-Bagh LoC point in the Poonch sector to bring to a halt the firing.

Nearly 19 ceasefire violations have taken place this year, 51 in 2011, 44 in 2010 and 28 in 2009. "All activities across the LoC are continuously monitored. Measures like strengthening of defences, deployment and redeployment of troops, infrastructure development and military modernisation are factored into our plans," officials said.