A temple and some houses were hit by bullets as Pakistani troops violated ceasefire by resorting to unprovoked firing and mortar shelling in different sectors along the International Border (IB) and Line of Control (LoC) in Kathua and Poonch districts, officials said on Sunday.

The Army and Border Security Force (BSF) retaliated befittingly and there was no report of loss of life on the Indian side, the officials said.

The temple of lord Shiva and houses suffered minor damages in the firing in Manyari, Chandwa and Londi villages of the Hiranagar sector along the IB in Kathua district, the officials said. Bovines sustained bullet injuries and were treated by veterinary doctors, they added.

The firing from across the border started around 9.45 pm on Saturday and the exchange of fire between the two sides continued till 5.25 am on Sunday, causing panic among the border residents who were forced to spend the night in underground bunkers, the officials said.

A defence spokesperson said the Pakistani army also resorted to mortar shelling and small arms firing in the Shahpur, Kirni and Qasba sectors along the LoC in Poonch district.

“At about 7:30 am, Pakistan initiated unprovoked ceasefire violations by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars along the LoC in the Shahpur, Kirni,and Qasba sectors. The Army is retaliating befittingly,” the spokesperson said. — PTI

Courtesy: Daily Tribune: 1st November 2020