Defence Ministry spokesman, Colonel Devender Anand, said that about 7.40 p.m., Pakistan initiated an unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars along the LoC in Mankote and Mendhar sectors of Poonch.

"Indian Army retaliated befittingly," he said.

Since the beginning of this year, Pakistan has violated with impunity the bilateral ceasefire agreement, with 24 civilians killed and over 100 injured in 3,190 ceasefire violations.

Shells landing on their homes, cowsheds and agricultural fields have brought insurmountable miseries into the lives of thousands of civilians living in villages along the LoC in J&K.