JAMMU: Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked fire and bombardment against outposts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB) in Jammu and KashmirPoonch and Kathua districts in violation of the ceasefire, authorities said Saturday.
Mortar shelling in the Mankote sector along the LoC in Poonch began around 2.30am, while cross-border firing along the IB in the Hiranagar The sector continued throughout the night, officials said.
They said there were no reports of casualties or damage on the Indian side.
“At approximately 2:30 a.m., Pakistan initiated an unprovoked violation of the ceasefire by firing small arms and mortars along the LoC in the Mankote sector. The army retaliated accordingly, ”said a defense spokesman.
Officials said the shooting and shelling between the two sides stopped around 4 a.m.
Pakistani Rangers began firing at the border posts in Karol Krishna, Satpal and Gurnam around 10 p.m. Friday, prompting strong retaliation from Border Security Force (BSF) personnel guarding the border, the officials said. officials.
The exchange of gunfire between the two sides continued until 5.10 a.m., they said, adding that the Pakistani gunfire caused panic among border residents who were forced to spend the night in underground bunkers.
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