Pakistan violates ceasefire again, fires at Indian posts

Violating the ceasefire yet again, Pakistani troops fired at forward Indian posts along the India-Pak border in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistani troops resorted to small arms firing on forward border belts of Goutrian and Mankote along the Line of Control in Poonch sector on Wednesday night, army officials said on Thursday.

There was cross-border firing first in Goutrian forward belt on Wednesday evening and later in Mankote-Mendhar belt along LoC late on Wednesday night. Army troops guarding the borderline took positions and fired back, they said.

There was no causality or injury to anyone in the firing, they said.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had on Wednesday asked Pakistan to respect the ceasefire, saying guns were no solution to any issue.

Reacting to the unprovoked firing by Pakistani Army that resulted in the killing of three civilians in Uri sector of North Kashmir on Tuesday, Omar had said, "We also have guns and mortars. If we also start firing, where will this stop?"

Pakistan has violated the ceasefire 23 times in the past two months.

One October 7 and October 4, Pakistan troops had fired on forward posts along the International Border in Kharwa and Chachwal area in Samba sector.

On October 1, Pakistani troops had fired at Indian posts and Chachwal forward village along International Border in Samba sector of Jammu and Kashmir, in which a couple was injured.

The repeated firing incidents have triggered panic in border hamlets.