Indian, Pakistani troops trade gunfire in Poonch, Rajouri

Jammu, Jan 9 (IANS) Indian and Pakistani troops traded gunfire along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch and Rajouri districts on Wednesday. The first clash took place in Poonch district. Pakistan troopers resorted to unprovoked firing at Indian positions in Gulpur and Khari Karmara areas at around 8.15 a.m., Defence Ministry sources said. "They used automatics and mortars. Our troops retaliated strongly. No casualty or damage was reported on our side," an official said. Later, the Pakistan Army used mortars to target Indian positions in Kalal area of Rajouri district. "Our troops are retaliating strongly. Firing exchanges are going on," the official said. Panic has again gripped people living close to the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts amid deafening sounds of mortar shell explosions. The winding LoC divides Jammu and Kashmir between Pakistan and India.