Just four days after its specialist troops killed five Indian soldiers on the line of control (loC), Pakistan, late on Friday, resorted to the “biggest ceasefire violation” in recent times. Its troops fired 7,000 rounds of heavy ammunition and mortar shells for seven hours at Indian posts along the loC in Poonch
The pattern of the heavy volume firing also stunned Indian officers on ground zero as it was highly ‘aggressive’ in nature. According to ground reports, the Pakistani Army fired continuously between 10.20 pm and 4.30 am in the Poonch sector.
As per rough estimates Pakistani Army fired around 7,000 rounds of PIKA gun besides mortar shells on forward Indian posts in Durga battalion area forcing the Indian Army to effectively retaliate. “No loss of life was reported in the heavy exchange of fire”, Defence PRO in Jammu SN Acharaya said.
Indian troops guarding the borderline took positions and fired back effectively, he said, adding that troops also fired 4,595 rounds of Medium Machine Guns (MMGs), INSAS rifles and KPWT Machine guns besides 111 RPGs, 11 rockets and 18 mortar shells of 81 mm in retaliatory action. According to defence sources, the villagers living close to the loC were in panic after the heavy exchange of fire. The sound of heavy firing and mortar blasts was heard even in Poonch town.