J-K: Pakistan army resumes shelling on civilian areas, no casualties

Pointing out that the ceasefire violation in Mendhar sector came around 9.15 am, a defence ministry spokesperson Lt Colonel Manish Mehta here said that “Pakistani troops were using 120 mm and 82 mm mortars, besides automatics and small arms. Own troops were giving befitting reply and there had been no casualty or damage’’ on the Indian side so far.

The mortar shelling from Pakistan side came in Balakote area after a lull of four days, said lamberdar of Balakote Mohammad Riaz Khan. The people have taken refuge inside their houses as shells were falling in close vicinity to residential areas all over Balakote sector including Dharana, Basooni, Sandote, Behrote, Golad and Dharati, he added.

Only yesterday, two Indian soldiers were killed and five others including two women injured as Pakistani troops resorted to heavy shelling on at least six locations of Poonch amid two infiltration bids from across the Line of Control that were foiled. Responding to the cease fire violations, the Army said that it inflicted heavy casualties on the Pakistan side. “Four Pak posts (were) destroyed in a massive fire assault in Keran sector of Kashmir Valley,’’ it added.