Soldier killed as Pak violates ceasefire along LoC

An army soldier was killed as Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday.

An army official said Pakistani troops resorted to heavy shelling and firing on Indian forward areas and border hamlets in Rumli Dhara from 1.20 am on Sunday, which was strongly and effectively retaliated by the Indian army.

"In the exchange of fire, one army jawan of 19 Punjab regiment was killed," he said.

Ceasefire violations and sniper attacks along the LoC and the International Border (IB) by Pakistani troops have been on the  rise  over the last few months.

On December 23, four army personnel, including a major, were killed as Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire along the LoC in Keri sector of the same district.

According to official figures over 880 violations of the 2003 ceasefire accord have taken place along the LoC and the IB in Jammu and Kashmir in 2017, killing 35 people.

More than 80 civilians and 70 security personnel were also injured in the firing.

The latest violation came less than 24 hours after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, visited forward posts in Rajouri district and exhorted the troops to "remain vigilant and ever-ready."

The Indian and Pakistani armies had agreed on a ceasefire along the LoC, the IB and along Actual Ground Position Line at Siachen glacier in November 2003.