JK: Pak violates ceasefire, kills 3 Indian civilians

Pakistani troops on Tuesday violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control in Uri Sector of Jammu and Kashmir by firing rockets, resulting in the death of three civilians, including two children.

"Pakistani troops fired two 80mm rockets in an unprovoked ceasefire violation at Lambardar village in Uri sector of Baramulla district," official sources said.

One of the shells landed in a civilian area, resulting in the death of three persons, the sources said.

The deceased have been identified as Mohammad Shafi, 25, Liyaqat Ahmad, 15, and Shaheena Akhtar, 16, they said, adding that Liyaqat was hit while he was on his way to school.

A local resident said over the phone that Pakistani troops had over the past few days objected to the construction of a forward post by the army and sought a halt on the work.

But as the construction work continued even on Tuesday, Pakistani troops started firing towards the Indian side, the residents said.

Although small weapon firing in the area has been going on for the past several days, today was the first time -- since the ceasefire came into effect in November 2003 -- that mortars were fired from across the LoC, they said.

India and Pakistan agreed on a ceasefire along the LoC and international border in November 2003 as a confidence building measure.

Although it has been largely upheld by both sides, there have been dozens of violations by Pakistani troops, especially in Poonch-Rajouri range along the LoC and Samba along the international border in Jammu region.

With additional inputs from PTI