Amidst heavy exchange of artillery shelling between troops of India and Pakistan along the Line of Control (LOC), the cross-LOC trade between the two sides continued as usual on Wednesday at Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch where 55 trucks laden with tomatoes, dry fruits and other commodities from both the sides were exchanged.
Pakistani troops continued to fire mortars, and also targeted civil and military areas with artillery in the Poonch and Rajouri districts while the authorities allowed their 20 trucks laden with dry dates, almonds, herbs, walnuts etc to enter the Indian territory. As many as 35 truckloads of tomatoes, banana, grapes, mix-fruit, garlic and herbs crossed the LoC from this side. Pakistan is facing a shortage of tomatoes and its price there has shot up to Rs.160 per kg, reports said.
More than 70 trucks laden with fruits, herbs and dry fruits were exchanged at the other cross-LoC trade centre at Uri in Kashmir.
Reports said that the Pakistani troops targeted an old bridge with mortars in Poonch district.
The Pakistan Army started shelling many civilian areas on Tuesday night and the exchange of fire continued till Wednesday morning.
The Balnoi area has been under fire since 5.40 Wednesday morning. The Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively.
Army’s spokesman, Lt Colonel Devender Anand, said that at about 10.30 am, Pakistan continued with shelling and third time in a day, again initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by heavy shelling with artillery and firing of small arms along the LoC in Nowshera and Sunderbani sectors of Rajouri.
At 10.30 pm on Tuesday, Pakistan troops started shelling in the Sunderland sector and continued till 4.30 am on Wednesday.