Pakistani troops target areas in Poonch, minor injured

Pakistani troops again breached ceasefire on Wednesday by targeting areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, injuring a seven-year-old boy. The firing came a day after India registered protest with the neighbouring country over its continued firing.

There was firing from across the border along LoC in Saujian sector of Poonch this morning, Senior Superintendent of Police, Poonch, Shamsher Hussain said. Pakistani troops also targeted forward areas in Kirni and Shahpur belts, he said, adding there was no injury to anyone.

Riyaz, a UKG student, of Kuiyian Gotirian village was injured in the firing and was hospitalised, a police officer said. A Defence spokesman said the troops retaliated to the Pakistani firing. "The Pakistani firing and mortar shelling stopped at 1045 hours today along the LoC in Poonch district," the spokesman said.

He said Pakistani troops fired 82 mm mortar bombs in the shelling. "There has been no loss of life on the Army's side," the spokesman said. "There was no loss of life," he said.

However, there was no firing at the International Border. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu Zone, Shant Manu said today that "there has been no firing by Pakistan along the IB in the past few days. It is calm."

He, however, said that firing by Pakistan is going on along the LoC in Saujian belt of Poonch. The IB and LoC in Jammu region have witnessed heavy firing and mortar shelling by Pakistani troops since October 1 which has left eight persons dead and over 95 injured, including 13 security men.

About 30,000 people have fled their border homes leaving 113 hamlets deserted along the IB.