Srinagar, July 20: Pakistan violated ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district on Saturday. The Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked shelling and firing at Indian positions in Krishna Ghati, then in Mankote and Shahpur sectors. "Indian positions are retaliating effectively," defence sources said. One civilian, Zaffarullah Khan of Balnoi village, was injured in Pakistan shelling on the LoC.

Pakistan ceasefire violation has come on a day when Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is visiting the state. Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked shelling with mortars and firing of small arms first in Krishna Ghati, then in Mankote and Shahpur sectors, defence sources said. "Ceasefire violation at all these three places by Pakistan Army started within one hour today morning," they said.

Last week, Pakistan resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing from small arms along the Line of Control in the Nowshera sector in Rajouri district and the Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan Rangers had violated the ceasefire along the LoC in the Digwar sector of Poonch district on July 10. Pakistan Violated Ceasefire 1,248 Times in Past Six Months, Says Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

According to the Indian government, four people have been killed due to ceasefire violations by Pakistan along the Line of Control in the last six months. While there were a total of 1,248 ceasefire violations, the month of March alone recorded 267 violations that claimed three lives, the government told Rajya Sabha. Seven Pakistan Posts Destroyed as Indian Army Retaliates to Ceasefire Violations.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said, "Appropriate retaliation to the ceasefire violations, as required, has been carried out by the Indian Army."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 20, 2019 10:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).