Unprovoked firing at Naushera sector in Rajouri, KG sector in Poonch and Pallanwala in Akhnoor

JAMMU: There seems to be no end to ceasefire violations by Pakistan as it resorted to mortar shelling and unprovoked firing on Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Naushera sector of Rajouri district (5am) and Pallanwala area of Akhnoor sector in Jammu (1.35pm) on Tuesday. Later in the day, more ceasefire violations were reported from Naushera Sector of Rajouri and KG Sector of Poonch at 5pm.

AFPA Border Security Force (BSF) soldier patrolling along a fence at the India-Pakistan border in R S Pura, southwest of Jammu, on Tuesday.

“Unprovoked ceasefire violations by Pakistan started in Naushera and KG Sectors of Rajouri and Poonch districts respectively from 5pm. Firing stopped at KG Sector at 8 pm but continued in Naushera Sector of Rajouri district,” defence spokesman Lt Col Manish Mehta said.

Reports of ceasefire violation in Pallanwala sector came in around 1.35pm and continued till evening. Rifleman Dharender Bisht of 2/9 Gurkha Rifles was injured in the firing in Bhudwaal forward post of Khour area in Pallanwala sector in Akhnoor. He was evacuated by army authorities.

Col Mehta said Pakistan is using small arms, automatics and 82 and 120 mm mortars. “Our own troops are responding in equal measure,” he added.

A police officer from Pallanwala police station said Pakistan has been firing mortars on forward villages like Darkote, Platan, Channi Dewanu, Budhwal, Gagrial and Garar villages. Villagers had already moved to relief camps set up in government schools in safer areas, he added.

Meanwhile, an intelligence official said that Pakistan has been trying to push a group of ultras from Naushera sector since India’s surgical strike on September 29.

“This morning they tried once again to push the ultras. They are said to be five to six in number. The Indian army is alert to the situation,” he said.