Jawan killed in yet another Pak ceasefire violation along LoC

An army jawan was killed on Tuesday night when Pakistani troops opened fire at Indian forward posts in Balakote sub-sector along the Line of Control in Poonch district in what is stated to be the second ceasefire violation of the day and the eighth in less than a week.

Indian troops retaliated and heavy exchange of fire continued several hours after the firing that started at 5.30 pm from across the border, a defence spokesman said on Tuesday night.

The jawan, who died after being hit by a mortar shell at a Forward Defence Location, was identified as Lance Naik M S Khan of 15 Bihar regiment, the spokesman said.

GOC 16 Corps Lt Gen D S Hooda condoled the death of the jawan. The spokesman said Tuesday’s ceasefire violation was the second of the day and the eighth in less than a week.

Earlier in the day, Pakistani army resorted to shelling of mortars besides automatic and small arms firing in forward areas along LoC in Hamirpur and Bhimbher Gali sub-sectors of Poonch district from 0630 hours today, the spokesman said.

Indian troops guarding the border took positions and retaliated strongly with equal calibre weapons, triggering exchanges which continued intermittently, he said.

"There was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the firing and shelling by Pakistan along LoC on this side," he added. Pakistani troops resorted to firing from 2225 hours late last night, the spokesman said, adding, Indian troops gave an equal calibrated retaliation triggering exchanges till 2335 hours.

"There was no loss of life or injury to anyone in Pak firing on this side", the spokesman said. Border Security Force jawan, Constable M Basu was injured when Pakistani troops resorted to firing on Katav Border Out Post along the International Border in Samba district yesterday.

On October 12, Pakistani army troops resorted to firing of mortar shells, automatic and small arms firing in forward areas along LoC in Bharasingha and Mendhar battalion forward areas in Krishna Gati and Bhimber Gali sub-sector of Poonch.

On 11 October, Pakistani army troops resorted to shelling of 82 mm mortars besides automatic and small arms firing in forward areas along LoC in Barasingha, Mendhar and Hamirpur sub-sectors of Poonch district forcing Indian troops to retaliate.

Photograph: Mukesh Sharma/Reuters