JAMMU : Pakistani troops violated ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir injuring six civilians including two women, to which India retaliated.
According to an Army officer, Pakistani troops resorted to heavy firing by small arms and automatic weapons and shelling of 81 mm mortar bombs in two forward sub-sector of Sabjian and Mandi since 1840 hours yesterday and intermittent firing continued till mid night, during which six civilians including two women were injured and six houses were damaged.
“There was no loss of life or injury to anyone among the armed forces on this side in Pak firing,” the officer said, adding, that Indian troops gave a befitting reply to them.
Civilian population living in border hamlets of Gigriyal and Uripura along LoC were targeted during the firing, police officials said.
The injured have been identified as Hajra Begum, Sakina Begum, Zahoor Ahmed, Gulam Nabi, Khaja Ahad and Mumtaz Ahmed of Gigriyal and Uripora villages, they said, adding that the condition of one of the women is stated to be critical.
The injured were rushed to hospitals in Poonch and Mandi belts and most of them are out of danger, police said.
At least six houses were partially damaged in the shelling, police said, adding, that five live bombs were recovered in Uripora belt, which are being defused.
The fresh three ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops were witnessed after a gap of one month and four days along the Indo-Pak border in Jammu and Kashmir.
The last ceasefire violation was witnessed in Jammu district’s Pargwal sector, when Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked heavy firing on intervening night of August 26-27 on Indian BOPs located in Akhnoor.
In a bid to defuse border tension triggered by 45 days long firing and shelling by Pakistani troops since July 17, the two countries on August 29 held a crucial Sector Commander (DIG-Brigadier) level flag meeting at Octerio BoP in Jammu district’s R S Pura sector to maintain peace and tranquillity by silencing guns.
According to BSF, firing by Pakistani forces along IB in the 45 days was possibly the “heaviest” since the 1971 war.
On August 28, BSF troops held Commandant level flag-meet with Rangers along International Border (IB) at Ballard Post in Samba sector impressing upon each other to respect ceasefire.
On August 27, the two countries resumed process of flag meeting and talks by holding a commandant-level flag meeting at Nikowal Border Out Post (BoP) along IB in Pargwal sub-sector of Akhnoor sector in Jammu district.
There have been 95 ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the LoC and it has also breached the ceasefire pact 25 times on the IB in recent months.
India had lodged a strong protest with Pak Rangers at DGMO level hotline contact on August 26. (AGENCIES)
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