The peace prevailing along the line of Control in frontier Poonch district was shattered on Friday morning with Pakistani Army resorting to ‘unprovoked’ ceasefire violations and targeting of forward Indian posts in the area.
After November 23, 2016 this is the first major exchange of fire reported in the area.
Indian Army’s counter offensive and ‘punitive’ strikes using heavy calibre of weapons along the line of control had silenced roaring Pakistani guns after three Indian soldiers were martyred in Machil sector of Kupwara on November 22.
According to field reports Pakistani Army targeted several forward posts using small automatics and mortars.
Unconfirmed reports, however, claimed Pakistani Army may have provided cover fire to the group of heavily armed infiltrators to push them inside the Indian territory.
Hitting back at the Pakistani Army Indian troopers responded strongly using similar calibre of weapons.
According to Defence spokesman in Jammu, the unprovoked firing from the Pakistani side started around 9.15 am and continued for over one hour till 10.30 am.
The spokesman said Pakistani Army used small arms, automatics and mortars to target the forward Indian posts in the area. He said Indian troops retaliated the fire effectively.
Meanwhile, Pakistan based Inter services Public Relations (ISPR) in a statement claimed one civilian was killed and four school children received injuries when Indian troops violated ceasefire agreement.