(Image source from: Pakistan attacks 22 BSF posts)

In an audacious violation of 2003 ceasefire, Pakistani troops launched heavy and "unprovoked" shelling and firing along the International Border, targeting 22 border outposts and 13 villages and killing two civilians and injuring six others including a BSF personnel in Jammu frontier. Five houses suffered massive damage. This is by far the biggest ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the recent years.

The Pakistani troops launched attack soon after midnight, firing the entire border belt of Arnia and RS Pura as well as shelling at Hamirpur sub-sector in Poonch.

Following this massive attack, 3000 people from seven to eight villages falling within the firing range of Pakistani troops, were evacuated and moved to safer shelters. They have been put up at the Government High School, Rangpur in Basspur Bungalow and Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), RS Pura.

Indian troops retaliated with equal calibre, resulting in a massive exchange of fire until 0700 hours today. Pak Rangers shelled 82-mm mortars and fired automatic weaponry on 22 BoPs and civilian areas along IB in Arnia and R S Pura sub-sectors of Jammu district.

In Jora farm, Akram Hussain and his son Aslam were killed and three other members of his family critically hurt after a Pakistan shell tore through their roof and exploded inside their house.

Pakistan troops breached the truce twice on Saturday, launching a heavy onslaught of 82-mm mortar shells along Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir as well.

The shelling mainly targeted villages of Sia, Jordha farm, Treva, Nikowal, Pittal, Pindi, Top-2, Gari, Gharana, Abdullian Korotana, Korotana Khurd and Vidhipur Jattan.

Administration and police official camping in RS Pura have made arrangements for accommodating the border villagers.

The breach in ceasefire comes after a cross-border tunnel from PoK along LoC in Chalka post in Pallanwala sector of Jammu district was discovered on Friday.

This is the 18th ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops this month.

AW: Suchorita Choudhury