Pakistan again breaches truce along LoC in Poonch

JAMMU: Pakistan again shelled civilian areas and forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kirni and Qasaba sector of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Friday. Pakistan has been frequently violating the ceasefire since April 9.
“At about 11am, the Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation along LoC in Qasba & Kirni sectors of Poonch district by firing with small arms,” Jammu-based defence spokesman, Lt Col Devender Anand said.“Our troops are retaliating befittingly in all these sectors. More details are awaited.”
The ceasefire violations are occurring even as Indian Army chief General MM Naravane is on a two-day visit to Kashmir.
Pakistan had targeted civilian areas and forwards posts along the LoC in three sectors — Qasba and Kirni sectors of Poonch district and Nowshera sector of Rajouri district — on the first day of Gen Naravane’s visit to the Valley.
On Tuesday, two civilians, including a minor girl, were injured in shelling by Pakistan along the LoC at Manjakote in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan Rangers also breached truce in Kathua on late Tuesday night and continued shelling till the morning. Pakistan had violated ceasefire by resorting to intense firing from small automatic arms and mortar shelling along forward villages in Balakote and Mendhar sectors of Poonch district on Tuesday.