Shelling by Pakistani troops started barely 10 minutes after the trade had started when 31 trucks from POK carrying almonds, walnuts, dry dates, herbs etc entered the Indian side around noon.
(File Photo: AFP)
Several Indian immigration officials, traders and also truckers from Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) had a narrow escape on Wednesday when Pakistani troops fired mortars at the cross-LoC trade centre at Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch district.
The shelling by Pakistani troops started barely 10 minutes after the trade had started when 31 trucks from POK carrying almonds, walnuts, dry dates, herbs etc entered the Indian side around noon.
Advertisement
Some mortars landed just near the immigration office that plays instrumental role during the trade and exchange of passengers on the LoC.
Advertisement
Security personnel shifted the entire immigration and other staff, Indian traders and POK truckers to safety in the Army bunkers.
The Pakistani troops also targeted a bridge near a gurdwara close to the cross-LoC trade centre. The Indian Army was retaliating effectively, sources said.
According to reports, the Pakistani troops were raining mortars on the Indian side from their three posts at Kakota, LP and Bakri.
As many as 66 trucks, 35 from Indian side and 31 from POK, crossed the LoC with variety of eatables on Wednesday. The Indian trucks laden with tomatoes, pomegranate, herbs, bananas and other fruits went to POK, while trucks carrying dry fruits and herbs came to the Indian side from POK. Meanwhile, heavy firing was exchanged between Indian and Pakistan troops at three places on the LoC. Shahpur and Gulpur along the LoC in Poonch witnessing heavy shelling.
Advertisement
