Villager killed, 4 injured in Pakistan shelling along LoC in Jammu

Jammu: A villager was killed and four others were injured in intensified shelling by Pakistan on Monday on forward posts and civilian areas along the Line of Control in Poonch district.

Pakistani troops fired heavy mortar bombs of 120 mm on villages in Kerni-Sabzian sector in Poonch this morning, triggering panic among residents.

"Army carried out effective retaliation resulting in exchanges which were going on when reports last came in from the area," a Defence spokesman said.

Pakistani troops fired mortars, rocket-projectile grenades (RPGs) and automatic weapons targeting forward posts since 2330 hrs in violation of ceasefire, he said.

They fired 82 mm mortar shells, RPGs and used automatic and small arms, he said. The shells also landed in civilian areas.

A villager, Abdul Hamid, died in the shelling and four others were injured, the Defence Spokesman said. Superintendent of Police Poonch J S Johar said the injured have been hospitalised.

Pakistani troops have violated the ceasefire nine times in September this year ahead of Director General-level talks between the border guarding forces of India and Pakistan from September 9.

Ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir, including sniper attacks, and infiltration are among the key issues India is expected to raise with Pakistan during the five-day talks.

Eleven people, including two jawans, were killed and over 30 injured in ceasefire violations by Pakistan last month.

There have been over 250 violations of the 2003 border ceasefire agreement by Pakistan this year, of which 57 were in August.