Jawans injured in fresh ceasefire violations

Three army personnel were injured as Pakistani forces engaged in heavy shelling and firing on the border outposts and civilian areas along the LoC in Poonch district.

A defence spokesman said Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked small arms firing and mortar shelling in Degwar sector around 8.45 am on Wednesday. Three soldiers of the 2 Naga regiment – all residents of Nagaland – were injured in the firing, he said. Indian troops retaliated strongly and gave a befitting reply to the Pakistan aggression, the spokesperson added.

On Tuesday, a soldier was killed due to sniper fire from across the LoC in Balakote sector of Poonch district, where two minors were killed and 12 civilians injured on Monday in heavy cross-border shelling by Pakistani troops along the LoC. Schools in the district, falling within five kilometres of the LoC, have been closed, while authorities have also advised people along the border areas not to venture out.

The government has also asked doctors to be present at the hospital round-the-clock to meet any eventuality.