Heavy Shelling Since Dawn Along LoC As Pakistan Violates Ceasefire Repeatedly

Heavy shelling from Pakistan began around 5 am on Friday at Jammu and Kashmir's Nowshera, Sundarbani and Pallanwala along the Line of Control or LoC. A Border Security Force (BSF) soldier has died in firing by Pakistan since yesterday.

In the last 12 hours, there have been six ceasefire violations by Pakistan and Indian forces are retaliating, say officers.

BSF's Jitender Singh, 46, died when Pakistani Rangers fired a mortar shell in RS Pura sector on Thursday, said Danish Rana, a senior police officer in Jammu.

He was the third BSF soldier to be killed in Pakistani shelling in the last five days.

Eight civilians including four women were also injured in firing from across the border.

One civilian was injured in Pakistani firing along the International Border in Jammu's Kathua district.

Areas near the border have been on high alert because of a spurt in firing from Pakistan in the past few days.

"Yesterday, unprovoked ceasefire violation continued till night. It again started at three places this morning. We are giving them an appropriate response," said Defence Ministry spokesperson Manish Mehta.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh had on Thursday urged the BSF to give a "fitting response".

Over the last week, a six-year-old child was killed and 30 people were injured in shelling.

NDTV