Pak troops violate ceasefire, target civilian areas, army posts in J&K's Poonch

Poonch (J&K): After a lull of over three weeks, the ceasefire on the LoC was violated again with Pakistani army today resorting to heavy cross-border firing at Indian posts and civilians areas in Balakote sector of Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district.

"Pakistani army violated ceasefire, targeting Indian positions along the Line of Control in Balakote sector. The firing started at 0900 hours continued till 1000 hours. Our soldiers gave a befitting reply," an army official said.

The ceasefire breach comes after a lull of over three weeks. Two BSF jawans were injured in shelling by Pakistani troops along the LoC on November 23, a day after three Indian soldiers were killed and the body of one of them was mutilated in north Kashmir's Kupwara district.

A senior police officer said shells fired by the Pakistani troops landed in civilian areas in the sector. However, there was no report of loss of life or injury to anyone.

The Pakistani army said one civilian was killed and four school children were injured on their side in the exchange of fire.