Pakistan troops target civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir

Breaching ceasefire, Pakistani troops targeted forward posts and civilian areas in Poonch district along the Line of Control for the second day on Thursday.

This was the third ceasefire violation in Sabzian sector in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir in the past 24 hours. The troops of the neighbouring country resorted to firing with automatic weapons, rocket projectile grenades and mortar bombs.

"Pakistan continued firing on forward posts and civilian areas along the Line of Control in the Sabzian area of Poonch district through the night," a defence spokesman said.

Army troops retaliated resulting in heavy exchange of fire, which was going on when the last reports came in from the area, he said.

The firing continued intermittently on Thursday, a police officer said, adding that no one was injured. There have been 13 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in past six days.

The Pakistani troops had targeted the same area on Wednesday injuring three civilians, the spokesperson had said. Those injured have been identified as Naseema, Mohmmad Ashraf and Abdul Ahad.

A youth was killed and two others, including a Border Security Force jawan, were injured when Pakistani troops had targeted border out posts and hamlets along the International Border in 4 sectors of Kanachak, Pargwal, Tawi and R S Pura in Jammu district on August 4.

On August 2 and 3, Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire four times by resorting to small arms firing in forward posts along the LoC in Krishnagati, Mandi, Balakote and Pallanwala sectors of Poonch and Jammu districts. There were two ceasefire violations on August 1.

There have been 18 ceasefire violations along the Indo-Pak border in July in which four persons, including three jawans, were killed and 14 others injured.

Image: Villagers along the LoC show remnants of artillery shells. Photograph: PTI