Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 20: Ongoing ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army, which were so far confined to Poonch district for past about two weeks, today spread to Rajouri, where Pakistan Army fired two 82 mm mortar shells in Peer Gali and Ramgarh in Mangalnarh area of Manjakote this morning.
Official sources said one shell each fell at Peer Gali and Ramgarh in forward area of Mangalnarh on the Line of Control (LoC) at Manjakote sector of Rajouri district between 9.15 am to 9.45 am.
The shells exploded in open areas, which fell short of fencing on the Indian side.
This was for the first time that Pakistan opened up Rajouri sector after 14 days of continuous firing in almost entire Poonch district.
SSP Rajouri Mubassir Latifi said no one was injured in the shell explosions.
India Army effectively retaliated, sources said.
Meanwhile, in fresh ceasefire violations, Pakistani troops today opened fire from automatic weapons and mortars in Hamirpur and Mendhar along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district drawing effective and strong retaliation from Indian troops and leading to heavy exchanges for three to four hours.
The firing continued almost entire night at Balakote, Hamirpur, Mendhar and parts of Krishna Ghati sectors in Poonch district.
The Pakistani troops targeted the battalion in Hamirpur at 8.30 am today, sparking an exchange of fire. The firing stopped around 12 noon but again resumed at 4 pm and continued till late this evening.
The Pakistani Army also fired at Indian forward posts with automatic weapons along the LoC in forward areas of Mendhar sector.
Pakistani troops had yesterday fired in the same area, leading to exchanges between the two sides for three to four hours during the day and almost the entire night.
Pakistani troops fired heavily on Indian posts in Hamirpur, Mendhar, parts of Krishna Ghati and Balakote border belts along the LoC and also pounded civilian areas during the night, leading to panic among the people living in the forward areas, who have been spending sleepless nights for past more than 10 days.
This year, there have been 82 ceasefire violations by Pakistan till August while ceasefire violations have been going on continuously for past 14 days now.
From August 6, there has been increase in frequency with 24 violations taking place including the tragedy in which five soldiers were killed and another injured in Sarla battalion area in Poonch by Pakistani troops on the intervening night of August 5 and 6.
Sources said the splinters of mortar shells continued to land in various civilian areas in Balakote, Hamirpur and Mendhar sectors including village Deri Dabsi, which was located ahead of the fencing.
The people from Deri Dabsi met Tehsildar Mendhar and sought rehabilitation in safer areas. They protested against Pakistan Army for resorting to firing and shelling in forward areas including Deri Dabsi and targeting civilians.
There were no casualties or damage on Indian side during Pakistan firing since last night. However, the bullets and splinters of mortar shells hit some houses.
Few shells also fell close to Balakote police post but there were no casualties or damage.
Indian side has been giving an effective response to the Pakistan firing.
Sources said Army has been maintaining high alert all along the LoC in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch in anticipation of the attacks by the Border Action Team (BAT) of Pakistan and infiltration by the militants under the garb of Pakistan firing.
They added that the militants could take advantage of LoC skirmishes and try to enter into this side. While retaliating to Pakistan firing effectively, Indian Army was also keeping a hawk’s eye on the infiltrators, they said.
The BAT comprising Pakistan Army personnel and militants of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) outfit could take advantage of the firing and try to target forward posts of Army, sources said, adding the Army was maintaining strict vigil on the situation.
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