This Article is From Aug 14, 2015

On Its Independence Day, Pakistan Violates Ceasefire Twice In Poonch

On Its Independence Day, Pakistan Violates Ceasefire Twice In Poonch

The firing comes as Pakistan marks their Independence Day today while India prepares for celebrations tomorrow.

Jammu: Violating ceasefire on their Independence Day, the Pakistani forces pounded Indian posts and civilian areas along the Line of Control with mortar shells and automatic weapons, the army has said. This was the second ceasefire violation in the same sector since midnight, to which Indian soldiers have responded.

The firing comes as Pakistan marks their Independence Day today while India prepares for celebrations tomorrow. Given the violence, the traditional exchange of sweets at the Attari border has not taken place.

Pakistan troops resorted to firing with automatic weapons and 82 mm mortar bombs on forward posts and civilian areas in Shahpur Kerni belt of Poonch district since 8.15 am, reported news agency Press Trust of India, quoting a Defence spokesman.

Indian soldiers fired back and exchanges are going on. There has been no casualty so far.

On Wednesday, more than two dozen families migrated from Sabziyan sector after mortar shells landed in civilian areas.

Forward posts along the LoC in Balakote belt had been pounded last evening with automatic, small arms and mortar bombs.

For last one week, there has been an escalation of tension along Line of Control in Poonch. There have been 28 violations of the 2003 ceasefire in August.

In July, there has been 19 ceasefire violations in which four persons, including three soldiers, were killed and 14 others injured.

Pakistan violated the ceasefire 192 times along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir till July 26, the government had told the Lok Sabha this week.
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