Srinagar, March 21: An Army jawan lost his life on Thursday in an unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops on the line of control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistani troops violated ceasefire in Keri belt of Sunderbani sector firing mortar bombs. The deceased jawan was identified as Rifleman Yash Paul. He was 24. Defence sources said that the Indian Army retaliated strongly.

"The Pakistan ceasefire violation started early on Thursday morning. One soldier sustained critical injuries in the shelling and succumbed to the injuries. Our positions are effectively retaliating," an official told news agency IANS. Pakistani troops have been targetting forward areas and posts in Rajouri district. Pakistani troops have violated the ceasefire over 110 times along the LoC since January. Jaish-e-Mohammed Terrorists Active in Kashmir, Security Officials Warn of Sniper Attacks.

On Monday, an Army soldier was killed and four others were injured when Pakistani forces violated the ceasefire by resorting to heavy mortar shelling and firing along the LoC in Akhnoor and Sunderbani sectors in Rajouri district. "Rifleman Karamjeet Singh was critically injured and later succumbed to injuries," an Army spokesman had said. Two Policemen Injured in Grenade Attack in Baramulla’s Sopore.

Pakistan has been violating the 2003 ceasefire agreement with India despite repeated calls for restraint and adherence to the pact during flag meetings between the two sides. The border skirmishes witnessed a spurt after India’s air strike on a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp in Balakot, Pakistan, on February 26 in response to the February 14 Pulwama attack that killed 40 CRPF personnel.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 21, 2019 01:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).