Civilian injured in J&K LoC firing

Jammu, April 1 (IANS) A civilian was injured on Monday as heavy firing exchanges took place between Indian and Pakistani troopers on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, police said. The civilian, identified as Muhammad Sharief, was injured by a mortar splinter and has been shifted to hospital for treatment, the police said. Authorities have also closed all educational institutions close to the LoC following the ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army at the Shahpur and Kerni sectors that began at 7.45 a.m. According to Defence Ministry spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Devender Anand, the Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling and firing of small arms. The Indian troops retaliated effectively in the firing which is continuing intermittently.