Jammu and Kashmir encounter
Indian Army in Jammu and Kashmir [Representational Image]IANS

The Indian troops killed at least 15 men from the Pakistan Army in retaliatory firing following ceasefire violations in Jammu and Kashmir.

"We are not yet confirmed about the number of casualties on the other side, but approx 15 Pak army men have died," Border Security Force (BSF) Additional Director General Arun Kumar told ANI.

At least one civilian was killed in ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in the Pallanwala sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday.

Pakistan violated ceasefire yet again in the Balakot sector of the state's Poonch district on Friday at 11:30 am. Heavy gunfire is being reported. Pakistani troops resorted to small arms, automatics, 82 mm mortars and 120 mm mortars.

Pakistani troops resorted to heavy shelling in the Nowshera sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Friday since 5 am. Firing is still underway and the army is retaliating effectively.

The Pakistan Army also violated ceasefire in the Sunderbani sector along the Line of Control (LoC) and security forces are still retaliating to the firing.

Firing has also resumed in the Abdullian sector following a gap of four hours. One person has been injured and taken to a hospital in RS Pura sector, ANI reported.

There have been eight ceasefire violations in the last 24 hours. 

Pakistan Rangers violated ceasefire in the Kathua, Mendhar and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday evening. Firing between both the sides continued till 5 am on Friday. A jawan was killed, while another was injured after the Indian Army foiled an infiltration bid in Tangdhar sector on Thursday.

"One girl (was) injured in overnight ceasefire violation by Pakistan along International Border in Kathua and Jammu districts," the BSF said.

"Yesterday, then again today morning ceasefire violations are happening from Pakistan side. Indian side responding befittingly. Heavy calibre weapons are being used by Pakistan. We are hitting them hard though. So far we have no casualties," the defence PRO told ANI.

Minister of Home Affairs Rajnath Singh on Thursday asked the chief of Border Security Force (BSF) to give a "fitting response" to the firing and ceasefire violations, NDTV reported.

"Pakistan should initiate dialogue instead of indulging in cross border firing," Jammu and Kashmir  Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said on Friday.

According to ANI, a few Pakistani posts and villages suffered heavy damages but there were no injuries reported to any BSF soldier or any civilian on the Indian side except a girl who suffered minor injuries.

Pakistan has carried out around 40 ceasefire violations since the Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the LoC on September 29 killing two Pakistani soldiers and 38 terrorists.

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