Pakistan violates ceasefire in J-K’s Poonch, India retaliates

India’s defence ministry sources said Pakistan resorted to unprovoked and indiscriminate shelling and firing in Degwar area on Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir.

Indian and Pakistani armies traded heavy fire on Thursday on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Smoke rises due to a mortar shell fired by Pakistan near the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district. (PTI File Photo)

The Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked and indiscriminate shelling and firing in Degwar area, defence ministry sources said.

“Using small arms, automatics and mortars they targeted military and civilian facilities in Degwar. It started at 6.30am. Indian positions retaliated effectively and strongly,” the defence sources said.

Tensions heightened between India and Pakistan on the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir after four Indian soldiers, including a major, were killed by the Pakistani army on December 23 in Keri area of Rajouri district.

The Indian Army carried out a retaliatory action on Monday when a group of five soldiers went 300-500 metres into Pakistan-controlled territory across the LoC and killed three Pakistani soldiers in Rawalakot area.