Three children have been killed and 8 civilians injured during ceasefire violations by Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir's Kerni, Kasaba and Digwar sectors.

One of the deceased has been identified as 10-year-old Israr Ahmad, a resident of Kerni sector. Ahmad was killed in Kasaba sector.

Pakistani troops indulged in firing and mortal shelling at border villages and forward posts along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, according to police.

The Indian Army gave a befitting reply to firing from Pakistan. Exchange of gunfire between the two sides was on when reports last came in.

Officials said Pakistani troops targetted dozens of villages and posts in Shahpur, Kerni and Kasaba sector in the early hours, resulting in the death of the two children and injuries to 5 other civilians.

The heavy cross-border firing started around 0650 hours, triggering panic among border residents. The injuries civilians have been rushed to the hospital.

PAKISTAN A COUNTRY OF COWARDS: JAMMU AND KASHMIR DEPUTY CM

Reacting to these ceasefire violations, Jammu and Kashmir Deputy CM Nirmal Singh has said, "Pakistan is a country of cowards. On the one hand, they show white flags while on the other, they target civilians."

In a major boost for the security forces, the BSF had on September 30 detected a 14-foot-long tunnel in Jammu's Arnia sector.

The Indian Army has foiled an infiltration bid by Pakistan's Border Action Team (BAT) in Jammu and Kashmir's Kupwara district on September 26.

On the first anniversary of Indian Army's surgical strikes on September 29 this year, former Army chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag had hailed the operation , adding that it was the first strike to have political clearance and achieved the desired result.

Meanwhile in another incident, an encounter broke out between terrorists and security forces in Thangdhar sector along the LoC.

This after a group of 5 to 7 heavily armed infiltrators were seen in the area near LoC. While one infiltrator has been killed, many more are believed to be hiding in the area.

(WITH INPUTS FROM PTI)

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