In Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistani troops last night resumed heavy firing at Indian positions along the LoC in the Mendhar Battalion area, Balakot sector and Hamirpur in Poonch district forcing the Indian jawans to retaliate. The firing resumed around 9.20 pm at the Mendhar Battalion and around 10.15 p.m in Balakot and Hamirpur. Initially, the Pakistani troops used Light automatic weaponry but as soon as the Indian jawans retaliated, heavy weapons including MMG Mortars were used by the former. The fierce firefighting along the LoC on these three points was still on when reports last came in. There are no reports of casualties so far. The Samba sector also witnessed unprovoked firing from across the International Border last evening when Pakistani Rangers opened fire on Indian positions at Kotha Post. Our correspondent has filed thisreport:
DG BSF and other BSF officials inter-acted with the field commanders and jawans of the BSF deployed at forward areas along the IB and called upon them to give effective reply to Pakistan firing. They stressed upon the security personnel to maintain strict surveillance on the IB to thwart infiltration attempts by the militants on the eve of Independence Day. The BSF DG and Special DG reviewed the situation with senior officers especially about spurt in ceasefire violations and presence of militants on Pakistan side across the International Border.