Pakistan troops open fire across loC, border

Pakistan troops again resorted to unprovoked firing on Indian positions in Jammu and Kashmir Wednesday, first in Samba sector of the International Border and then in two sectors of the line of Control (loC) in Poonch district, authorities said.

A defence spokesman told IANS, "Pakistan troops opened unprovoked fire in two sectors - Krishna Ghati and Bhimber Gali - of the line of Control today (Wednesday) morning." "The firing started at 10.40 a.m today (Wednesday) morning. Pakistan troops used small arms, automatics and mortar to target our positions. Our troops have strongly retaliated with same calibre weapons. Intermittent fire exchanges in these two sectors is continuing," the spokesman said.

Police sources told IANS that earlier Weddnesday morning Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing at the Mangu Chak and Khawada posts of the Border Security Force (BSF) on the International Border in Samba district Jammu region. "The firing started this morning. The BSF retaliated," a police officer told IANS. It sparked off intermittent excahnges of fire.

An Indian soldier was killed by unprovoked Pakistani shelling from across the border Tuesday in Hamirpur area of Mendhar sector of Poonch district of the state. The Pakistan Army violated the 2003 ceasefire thrice Tuesday in Hamirpur area of the line of Control (loC) using small arms, automatic weapons and mortars. The army guards the line of Control (loC) in Jammu and Kashmir, while BSF troopers are deployed on the international border with Pakistan in the state.