Seven Pakistan troopers killed along LoC

Seven Pakistani soldiers were killed in "retaliatory action" by the Indian Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Mendhar sector of Jammu & Kashmir's Poonch district on Monday.

"Pakistani troops resorted to shelling on forward posts in Jaglote belt in Mendhar sector on Monday morning. In the retaliatory action on Pakistani post involved in the ceasefire violation in Kotli, Indian troops killed seven Pakistani soldiers, while four others were injured," a senior army official said in Jammu.

However, the Pakistan army's media wing - Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) - confirmed the killing of only four soldiers.

"The troops were busy in line communication maintenance in Jandrot and Kotli sectors of Azad Jammu & Kashmir when they were fired upon and hit by [a] heavy mortar round," Pakistani media said quoting ISPR.

The pounding of the Pakistan posts came two days after an Indian Army soldier Lance Naik Yogesh Muralidhar Bhadane was killed in unprovoked firing by the Pakistan army in Sunderbani sector.

Lance Naik Bhadane was grievously injured and succumbed to his injuries.

In Delhi, army chief Gen Bipin Rawat sent a stern message to Pakistan, saying it may escalate its offensive against terror groups and carry out the "other action" if forced by the neighbouring country.

"On the LoC, the Pakistan army is continuing ceasefire violations and helping terrorists to infiltrate (into India). We are using our might to teach them a lesson. Any provocative action from Pakistan side will get a befitting reply," Gen Rawat said during the 70th Army Day celebrations in the national capital.

The ceasefire violations and sniper attacks along the LoC and the International Border (IB) by Pakistani troops have been on the rise in the last one year.

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

The Indian and Pakistani armies had agreed to a ceasefire along the LoC, the International Border and along the Actual Ground Position Line at Siachen in November 2003.

India shares a 3,323-km-long border with Pakistan of which 221 km IB and 740 km LoC fall in Jammu & Kashmir.