Shelling Underway in Uri Sector as Pak Violates Ceasefire

Over a dozen ceasefire violations took place on Tuesday – the fourth consecutive day of Pak shelling on Indian posts

The Pakistan army used heavy weaponry, firing 120mm mortars targeting civilian hamlets and forward posts since 17:30 on Tuesday, 26 February, an army officer said. Image used for representation.

(Photo: Reuters)

Pakistan Army violated ceasefire in the Uri sector on Wednesday morning, 27 February, a day after the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out air strikes across the Line of Control (LoC).

Cross-border shelling is underway and the Indian troops are responding in a befitting manner, reported DD News.

4 Civilians Killed, 11 Injured in Cross-Border Shelling on Tuesday

Four civilians have been killed and 11 others injured in the Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir region during the cross-border shelling on Tuesday, 26 February, Dawn reported, quoting officials.

Meanwhile, an Indian defence official told PTI that the Indian Army destroyed five Pakistani posts along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday night, 26 February, in a befitting retaliation to firing from across the border, resulting in a "number of casualties" to Pakistani troops.

"The Indian Army retaliated for effect and our focussed fire resulted in severe destruction to five posts and number of casualties to Pakistan Army (along LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts)", the defence PRO said.

The Pakistani troops were also seen firing mortars and missiles from civilian houses, using villagers as human shields, he added.

However, the Indian Army targeted the Pakistan posts away from civilian areas, the PRO said, adding that this resulted in a "number of casualties" to Pakistani troopers.

5 Indian Army Soldiers Suffered Injuries

In an exchange of fire, five soldiers of the Indian Army suffered minor injuries, out of which two of them were shifted to a military hospital for medical treatment; they are stable.

The Pakistan army on Tuesday resorted to heavy mortar shelling on 55 forward areas in Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch districts after IAF jets struck a JeM terror camp across the LoC, army sources told PTI.

The Pakistan Army used heavy weaponry, firing 120mm mortars targeting civilian hamlets and forward posts since 17:30 on Tuesday, 26 February, an army officer told PTI.

They fired from small, automatic and heavy weaponry in Krishna Gati, Balakote, Khari Karmara, Mankote, Tarkundi (Poonch district), Kalal, Baba Khori, Kalsian, Laam and Jhangar areas (Rajouri) and Pallanwala and Laleali (Jammu), the officer added.

According to officials, more than a dozen ceasefire violations took place on Tuesday – the fourth consecutive day of Pakistan shelling and firing on Indian posts.

Pakistan Violated Ceasefire in Nowshera Sector

Earlier in the day, Pakistan violated the ceasefire in Nowshera sector along the Line of Control (LoC), the officer said, adding that locals in the border areas have been asked to not venture out.

Panic has gripped the border areas and some locals have left their homes and moved to safer areas, reports said.

Since last Wednesday, Pakistan has violated the ceasefire everyday barring Friday, the officer said.

The Nowshera sector witnessed unprovoked firing from the Pakistan side for three consecutive days on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The Pakistani guns remained silent on Friday but on Thursday, ceasefire was violated in Poonch sector while on Wednesday, they initiated unprovoked shelling in Kalal sector of Rajouri district.

The year 2018 had witnessed the highest number of ceasefire violations – 2,936 – by Pakistani troops in the last 15 years along the Indo-Pak border.

Pakistan continues to violate the ceasefire understanding of 2003 despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the agreement during flag meetings between the border guarding forces of the two countries, the officials said.

Amid mounting tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pulwama terror attack and increasing ceasefire violations, the people along the LoC and the International Border (IB) in the region are living under intense fear.

(With inputs from PTI)