Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire for the fifth day on Thursday increasing the arch of firing and shelling along the line of control (LoC) by targeting scores of posts and civilian areas in three districts of Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch, drawing retaliation from the army.
The latest escalation from the Pakistani side is apparently aimed at helping militants to infiltrate from across the border ahead of Independence Day to carry out attacks in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
Extending arch of firing, Pakistani troops fired at Pallanwala, Akhnoor, Krishna Ghati (KG) and Bhimbar Gali (BG) sectors of the Poonch district along the Line-of-control overnight.
"Pakistani army is making unprovoked ceasefire violations. It fired on the intervening night of August 12 and 13 in KG, BG and Pallanwala sectors. The firing continued for about an hour," said defence spokesperson Lt Colonel Manish Mehta.
He said the intermittent firing continued between 8 pm on Wednesday and 5 am on Thursday morning. The army also fired back in an equal manner, though there was no casualty reported.
Pakistan has been continuously firing in the Poonch sector for the last five days, but it's after some time it fired in the Pallanwalla area, which is near the international border in the Akhnoor sector.
{{/usCountry}}Pakistan has been continuously firing in the Poonch sector for the last five days, but it's after some time it fired in the Pallanwalla area, which is near the international border in the Akhnoor sector.
{{/usCountry}}The defence sources said it is an attempt to push in infiltrators and make a major terrorist strike on or before Independence Day. Director General of police K Rajendra has directed all district police officials to further tighten the security grid and be on high alert.
Pakistan violated ceasefire 192 times along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir till July 26 this year, the Centre had told the Lok Sabha recently.