Pakistan violates ceasefire again in JK

In yet another ceasefire violation, Pakistani troops fired at Indian posts in Kerni sub-sector of Kashmir's Poonch district late on Friday night. This is the fourth ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in less than five days in Poonch sector.

Pakistani troops resorted to small arms firing on the ring forward defence post in Kerni sub-sector along the Line of Control late on Friday night, a senior Army official of 16 corps said on Saturday. Indian troops guarding the border retaliated to the firing, resulting in gunfire exchanges for over one-and-a-half hours.

There was no casualty or damage to the posts in the firing, he said, adding the firing was aimed at giving a cover to militants to infiltrate Indian territory. This was a clear ceasefire violation and Indian authorities have lodged a protest with the counterparts in this regard on Saturday.

Pakistani troops had resorted to heavy shelling of mortars and rockets in Krishna Ghati and Jhallas sub-sectors of Poonch district on September 28 and twice on September 29.  Army troops have lodged a strong protest with their Pakistani counterparts over the ceasefire violation.

"A flag meeting was held at the commanding officers level at Chakan-Da-Bagh LOC Crossing Point in Poonch, in which a strong protest was lodged with Pakistani authorities over ceasefire violation and unprovoked heavy shelling and firing," said an official.