Jammu: Pakistani troops today pounded a number of places along the International Border and Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu region with heavy firing and mortars, leaving four persons injured and triggering fear among the villagers, officials said. India lodged a protest with Pakistan while the Indian troops retaliated “effectively” to the cross-border firing which came ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Jammu tomorrow.
The army early this morning also foiled an infiltration bid along the LoC in Poonch district by a group of militants trying to enter the Indian side, the defence spokesman said. BSF officials said Pak Rangers have increased the arch of firing and shelling from Kanachak-Akhnoor sector to RS Pura sector now.
“Pakistani Rangers resorted to small arms firing and mortar shelling along IB in R S Pura sector of Jammu district since 0115 hours today,” a BSF officer said. They targeted five border outposts (BoPs) and some civilian areas in RS Pura and Tawi forward belts, firing 81 mm mortar shells around 0350 hours, he said.
“BSF troops guarding the border line retaliated effectively and the firing exchange continued till 0530 hours today,” he said adding four persons were injured in Brewa village.
The Pakistan army also violated ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch sector, firing at various posts of the Indian army, an army officer said. He said the Pakistan army used small arms and mortar shells to target Indian positions on this side of the LoC.
The Indian side retaliated to the fire. According to government sources, India lodged protest both in Islamabad as well as in Delhi over the incident. “Our High Commissioner in Islamabad raised the issue with the Pakistan Foreign Office and Pakistan High Commissioner in Delhi was also conveyed India’s concerns regarding ceasefire violation in which one woman was killed and some people injured,” they said in Delhi.
