The intense retaliatory action was necessitated as the Pakistani army was targeting Indian civilian locations

LoC/POONCH (Jammu-Kashmir UT): At least four Pakistani troops, including two officers, were killed during continued violation of Ceasefire Agreement (CFA) for third consecutive day by Pakistan army at Rakhchikri and Rawlakote sectors on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch District of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) on December 1.

Official reports confirmed the killing of four Pakistan army personnel and injuries to a civilian on the Indian side. Identity of slain Pakistan army personnel couldn’t be ascertained immediately.

The Indian Army officials said that the intense retaliatory action by the troops was necessitated as the forward posts of the Pakistani army were targeting Indian civilian locations at Qasba and Karni villages of Poonch, leading to panic among the border dwellers.

This was the third consecutive day of Pakistan army shelling and during last two days, the Pakistani troops had targeted Shahpur, Krishna Ghati and Balakote sub-sectors, all falling in Poonch.

A 55-year old civilian Jamaal-ud-Din was seriously injured in Pakistan shelling in Qasba village of Poonch on the afternoon of December 1, as a mortar shell fired by Pakistani troops exploded near his house. His house was also damaged.

It is to be noted that Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan had recently visited the forward villages in Kotli and Rawlakote sectors of Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and reviewed situation prevailing there with top Generals of the country.

Since the visit of Imran Khan, Pakistan army has regularly been shelling civilian areas in Poonch district.

He was reported to have directed the Pakistan army to heavily shell civilian areas on the Indian side and push trained militants into the Indian territory.