Fierce exchange of fire, mortar shells along LoC in Poonch, Cross-LoC bus suspended, schools closed

Poonch, March 13: The armies of India and Pakistan on Monday exchanged heavy fire and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.
An official said that a fierce exchange of fire and mortar shelling has been going on since 6:30 am in Chakan Da Bagh and Begwar sectors.There was no immediate report of loss of life so far from our side, said DSP Operations Saleem Bhat. near the Line of Control (LoC) as a precautionary measure in view of fierce exchange of fire and mortar shells between the armies of India and Pakistan.
The exchange of fire and shelling between the two armies started at 6:30 am today, officials said.
As a precautionary measure, authorities have closed educational institutions in several villages, including Ajote.
The weekly Raah-e-Milan bus service between Poonch and Rawlakote has been delayed until 2 PM and further decision will be taken in a meeting later on, said an official.
He said that several mortar shells hit the Trade Felicitation Centre Chakan da Bagh Poonch.
“As a precautionary measure, officials on duty inside TFC Chakan da Bagh have been shifted to a nearby safer location,” he said. Speaking to news agency ANI, BJP leader Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore slammed Pakistan for resorting to such violation on Holi. “Yeh purani aadat hai, Pakistan sarhad pe jo bhi hamare tyohaar hote hain us din wo zaroor golabaari karte hain wahan par (This is their old habit. During all our festive occasions, Pakistan resorts to such firing near the border).”
No Casualties YEver since the Uri terror attack, ceasefire violations across the border have significantly increased. On Sunday, there were ceasefire violations in the Krishna Ghati Sector in Poonch district. “There was unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan Army in Krishna Ghati Sector in Poonch district from 1200 hours, using 82 mm mortars and automatic weapons,” a defence spokesman was quoted as saying by PTI. Locals said residential areas had been affected by Sunday’s firing.The ceasefire comes days ahead of the Permanent Indus Commission (PIC) talks to be held in Lahore later this month wherein India had reportedly agreed to hold discussions on the Indus Water Treaty issue.