‘Pakistan Army targeting civilian population in Poonch’

Jammu: PRO, Defence, Lt Col Manish Mehta on Sunday said that the Pakistan Army was using 120 mm heavy mortars, 82 mm mortars targeting army posts and civilians population in Poonch and that the Indian Army was giving a befitting reply.

“Indian Army is giving a befitting reply. An adequate response is being given to all the forward posts of the Pakistan Army,” Mehta told ANI here.

“In Saujia and Mandi area, the Pakistan army has resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violations, targeting depth area where civilians are staying,” he added.Speaking of providing aid to the civilians who were in the line of fire, Mehta said, that the Army is reaching out to all civilians who need help.

“Indian army is providing medical aid, assisting them in other kinds of help which they require. We have requested the civilian population to stay indoors and they should not come out until the ceasefire continues,” the defence PRO said.

Three civilians were injured today after Pakistan opened unprovoked fire in Poonch. Six civilians were killed on Saturday after a shelling by Pakistan in Balakot.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) lodged a strong protest with Islamabad and conveyed India`s anger over the unprovoked firing by the Pakistani troops.

ANI