An Indian soldier stands guard close to the Line of Control (LoC), a ceasefire line dividing Kashmir between India and Pakistan. (Reuters)

Violating the ceasefire for the third time in less than 24 hours, Pakistani troops on Friday shelled mortars and fired on forward areas along the LoC in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pakistani troops opened small arms firing and shelled 82 mm mortars in forward areas along LoC in Barasingha, Mendhar and Hamirpur sub-sectors of Poonch district from 0830 hours, a Defence Spokesman said today.

Indian troops guarding the borderline with Pakistan took positions, and retaliated with equal calibre weapons, triggering heavy exchanges which are still going on, the spokesman said.

"There was no loss of life or injury to anyone in the firing and shelling by Pakistan along LoC on this side", the Spokesman said.

This is third ceasefire violation along the LoC in less than 24 hours.

On Thursday, Pakistan troops had violated the ceasefire and resorted to small arms and automatic weapon firing along LoC in Mendhar and Bhimbhergali-Balakote sub-sectors in Poonch.

Pakistan Army had again violated the ceasefire yesterday by unprovoked firing along LoC from 1845 hours to 1925 hours in Krishnagati sub-sector of Poonch district.

There have been 127 ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along LoC in Jammu and Kashmir this year, which is highest in past eight years.

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