SRINAGAR: An army man was killed when Pakistan troops breached ceasefire and fired on army positions along the Line of Control (LoC) in Nowshera sector of Rajouri in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, taking the death toll of security men killed in ceasefire violations along the LoC and International Border (IB) this year to 23.
12 civilians have also died in Pakistani troops firing and mortar shelling along frontiers in 2017.
Defence spokesman based in Udhampur, Colonel N N Joshi told New Indian Express that Pakistani troops breached border ceasefire and fired indiscriminately on army posts and positions along the LoC in Nowshera sector of Rajouri district early this morning.
He said the army men also effectively returned the fire from similar caliber weapons.
Joshi said a soldier was critically injured in Pakistani troops firing and was evacuated to hospital, where he succumbed to injuries.
The deceased was identified as Jagsir Singh, 32, of Lohgarh village, Punjab. He is survived by wife Mohinder Pall Kaur, two daughters and a son.
Defence sources said Pakistani army also breached border ceasefire in Digwar sector of Poonch district and fired from automatic weapons towards army posts in the early hours today.
They said the army men also retaliated and there was no loss of life or injuries in the cross-LoC firing on this side.
The fresh ceasefire violations by the Pakistani troops came a day after Army Chief General Bipin Rawat visited the forward posts along the LoC in Rajouri sector and directed the troops to remain vigilant.
The army commandos last week conducted cross-LoC raid in Poonch sector and killed three Pakistani soldiers and injured another.
The raid followed BAT attack by Pakistani commandos on Indian army patrol along LoC in Keri area of Rajouri sector on December 23 in which four army men including an officer were killed and another injured.
There has been surge in ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control and International Border (IB) in the State this year.
India and Pakistan share 221 kms of International Border and 740 kms of the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to defence officials, about 890 ceasefire violations took place along the LoC and IB this year, which is highest in last seven years.
At least 35 people have been killed in ceasefire violations and firing and mortar shelling by the Pakistani troops this year in the State.
The death toll is highest since 2014.
Among the dead include 19 army men, four BSF personnel and 12 civilians.
Besides, 62 security men including 59 army men and 79 civilians have also been injured in the border ceasefire violations by the Pakistani troops this year so far.