Pakistan began shelling mortars and firing arms from 6 am and continued till 7 am, at Krishna Ghati sector alongside LoC, on Thursday, violating ceasefire for the seventh consecutive day.

Image source: PTI (Representational only)

Pakistan began firing and shelling of mortars for an hour across the Line of control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district on Thursday morning, said the Defense Ministry.

“At around 6 am today, Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by shelling mortars and firing small arms along the Krishna Ghati sector,” Defence spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand said.

The Indian army retaliated effectively and strongly and the firing exchanges stopped around 7 a.m., he added.

Authorities have shut down all educational institutions within 5 km of the LoC and the international border including schools in Rajouri, Poonch and Samba districts.

The incident comes a day after Pakistan held captive Abhinandan Varthaman Wing Commander, of which, India has protested against “vulgar display” of the Indian Air Force pilot which allegedly displayed angry mob thrashing him as his face soon covered with blood, he was also seen tied in Pak custody in an unverified video.

On Wednesday (February 27), Pakistan violated ceasefire and resorted to heavy mortar shelling on forward posts and civilian areas along the LoC in Mendhar, Balakote and Krishna Ghati sub-sectors in Poonch district at around 7 pm.

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