India: Fresh ceasefire violations by Pakistan

In fresh ceasefire violations, Pakistani troops on Tuesday opened fire from automatic weapons and mortars in Hamirpur and Mendhar along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, drawing retaliation from Indian troops. The Pakistani troops targeted the battalion in Hamirpur on Tuesday morning, sparking an exchange of fire, a Defence Ministry spokesman said. The Pakistani Army also fired at Indian forward posts with automatic weapons along the LoC in Mendhar sub-sector in Poonch district. Pakistani troops had on Monday fired in the same area, leading to exchanges between the two sides. Pakistani troops had earlier fired heavily on Indian posts in Hamirpur and Balakote border belts along the LoC in Poonch and also pounded civilian areas in Mankote and Mendhar belts. This year, there have been 82 violations by Pakistan till August. From August 6, there has been increase in frequency with 24 violations taking place including the tragedy in which five soldiers were killed in Poonch by Pakistani troops.