Resorting to mortar shelling on forward posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district Pakistani Army violated ceasefire once again, officials said on Monday.
A few Army personnel who were part of an ambush party, were injured when two mortar shells exploded near them during the shelling on Sunday night, the officials said.
“Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing of small arms and intense shelling with mortars in Balakote area of Mendhar sector around 2230 hours on Sunday. Indian army retaliated befittingly,” a defence spokesperson said in a statement.
Officials said an army column was on ambush duty near the LoC when two mortar shells exploded near them, causing injuries to a “few personnel.”
“The injured were immediately evacuated to military hospital and their condition is stated to be stable,” they said.
The incident comes when the Indian Army has intensified its presence along the Line of Control (LoC) in view of Pakistan’s increased aggressive posture along with direct and indirect threats of war ever since Parliament ended special status of Jammu and Kashmir on August 6.
On Saturday, the Commander of Army’s Northern Command, Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh, reviewed security preparedness along the LoC in the light of military threat from Pakistan. Earlier, Army chief General Bipin Rawat had also visited the valley to review India’s preparedness at the LoC.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan has been aggressive against India over the political developments in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan has also been desperately trying to drum up international support against India in its rhetoric on Kashmir.