Pakistan has again violated ceasefire by targeting forward Indian posts along the Line of Control in Poonch district in Jammu and Kashmir. Defence sources told AIR that the Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked firing this morning around 0700 A.M. on forward Indian village Sanjod in Bhimber Gali area in Balakote Sector of Mendhar Tehsil of Poonch district.

The exchange of fire lasted till 0815 A.M. Sources said Pakistan fired 81-mm mortar shells and used small arms and automatic weapons while Indian troops effectively retaliated with similar calibre weapons.

No damage to any property or casualty from this side has been reported till last reports came in. Our correspondent reports that the firing comes a day after an Army jawan was killed and five others, including a Major of the Engineering Regiment were injured, in a remote controlled IED blast reportedly triggered by the militants across the LoC in Tarkundi forward area of Balakote sector in Mendhar tehsil of Poonch district yesterday. The second blast occurred when troops sanitizing the area accidentally stepped over a mine resulting in injuries to two army personnel.

Both are being treated at the Army Hospital and are reportedly out of danger till last reports came in. Between the end of April and mid-May, 19 incidents of ceasefire violation have been reported along the LoC in Jammu region. Sources say in 2013, 12 jawans were killed and 41 injured in 149 ceasefire violations and firing incidents by Pakistan troops on forward posts, civilian areas and patrolling parties along the Indo-Pak border.