Pakistan Violates Ceasefire Twice Monday : Report

New Delhi, Aug 20, IRNA - Pakistani troops violated ceasefire twice on Monday opening fire by automatic weapons and mortars on Hamirpur battalion and Mendhar along the LoC in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. The move caused retaliation from the Indian army on both occasions There was no report of casualties or damage to property in the two separate incidents. This was the 24th case of ceasefire violation since August 6th. The Pakistani troops targeted the battalion in Hamirpur at around 2105 hours IST, sparking an exchange of fire that continued late into the night, pti reported quoting a Defense Ministry spokesman as saying. Earlier this afternoon, the Pakistani army fired at Indian forward posts with small arms along the LoC in Mendhar sub-sector in Poonch district. Pakistani troops fired from small arms and automatic weapons on Indian posts in Mendhar sub-sector at around 0235 hours IST, a defense spokesman said. Pakistani troops had earlier fired heavily on Indian posts in Hamirpur and Balakote border belts along the LoC in Poonch and also pounded civilian areas in Mankote and Mendhar belts. There was firing by the Pakistani Army in Hamirpur and Balakote belts last night, the spokesman said. The Indian soldiers replied strongly, triggering exchanges which continued throughout last night, he added. The Pakistani troops also targeted civilian areas with medium mortar shells and rockets sparking panic among the inhabitants./end