![Women show mortar shells fired by the Pakistani troops in Balakote sector on Thursday. -Excelsior/Rahi Kapoor Women show mortar shells fired by the Pakistani troops in Balakote sector on Thursday. -Excelsior/Rahi Kapoor](https://cdndailyexcelsior.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/page1-3-10.jpg)
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 17: An Army jawan was injured and four houses were damaged today as Pakistani troops opened heavy fire and shelled mortars, targeting civilian areas and Forward Posts along the LoC in two sectors of Poonch district.
The Indian Army retaliated effectively, a Defence spokesman said.
“At about 0645 hours, the Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and intense shelling with mortars along LoC in Balakote and Mendhar sectors,” he said.
Heavy exchange of fire lasted two to three hours in these sectors, the sources said.
An Army man was injured in the shelling in Balakote sector and was hospitalised, they added.
In the villages of Balakote, three-four residential structures have suffered damages, resulting in panic among locals, the sources said.
Reports said Pakistan army has suffered heavy casualties and infrastructural losses in retaliatory firing by the Indian troops.
Pakistani troops have violated the ceasefire 24 times this month.
An Army jawan was martyred and two others, including an officer, were injured on Tuesday as Pakistani troops violated the ceasefire by using heavy fire and mortar shells along the Line of Control in Sunderbani sector of Rajouri district, officials said.
On September 2, a JCO was martyred in a ceasefire violation by the Pakistan army along the LoC in Keri sector of Rajouri. (PTI)