Pak Army shells forward areas along LoC in J&K's Poonch

In the fourth ceasefire violation in as many days, the Pakistan Army on Wednesday resorted to intense mortar shelling on forward areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, a defence spokesman said. “At about 11.45 am, Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by small arms firing and intense shelling with mortars in Shahpur and Kirni sectors. The Indian Army is retaliating befittingly,” the spokesman said.

He said there was no report of any casualty on the Indian side in the Pakistani firing so far. The shelling from Pakistan was heavy, causing panic among the border residents, a police official said adding that the firing from across the border forced the people to stay in underground bunkers for their safety.

This was the fourth ceasefire violation by Pakistan along the LoC in the district since Sunday. Earlier, Pakistan targeted Shahpur, Kirni, Qasba, Mankote and Mendhar sectors..