Pakistan breaches LOC ceasefire again

Jammu, July 25 (IANS) Breaching the LoC ceasefire yet again, Pakistani troops opened unprovoked firing at Indian positions in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district Friday, triggering a gunfight that lasted for an hour, a defence official said. No loss of life was reported.

"Pakistan army violated ceasefire in Mendhar sector of the LoC today (Friday) afternoon using small arms and automatics to target our positions," defence spokesman, Col. Manish Mehta told IANS here.

"Our troops responded to Pakistan firing with similar calibre weapons. Firing exchanges started at 4.30 p.m. and continued upto 5.30 p.m. No casualty or damage occurred on our side," he said.

Pakistan has been violating the 2003 ceasefire agreement on the LoC in Poonch district during the last one week.

Army officials and intelligence agencies believe the ceasefire violations are used to facilitate infiltration of armed guerrillas across the LoC - the de facto border dividing Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan - into Indian territory.