Bus services between India and Pakistan were halted from Poonch on Monday after three days of firing near the Line of Control.

Bus services between India and Pakistan were halted from Poonch on Monday after three days of firing near the Line of Control, reported NDTV.

India Today reported that the bus service that runs between Chakka Da Bagh in Poonch and Rawalakote in Pakistan-occupied Kasmir every Monday for exchange of citizens based on permit, will be suspended for a week.

The report quoted an official as saying, “Due to rising tension on Chakka Da Bagh area on the LoC in Poonch, we could not establish contact with Pakistan-administered Kashmir officials and today 14 Pakistani residents could not be sent back as both gates are closed,” they said.

The official also added that all 14 Pakistani residents would have to stay back till peace returns on borders.

This news comes amid reports of repeated ceasefire violations by the Pakistan army.

The PTI quoted a police officer as saying that the Pakistan army resorted to indiscriminate firing from 5.55 pm on Sunday on the villages and the Indian Army posts along the LoC in Poonch district. After Saturday's ceasefire violation, the Indian troops had retaliated by damaging three posts and causing causalities to Pakistani army, the report added.

Two Pakistani soldiers were learnt to have been killed in the retaliation and several injured on Saturday. Reports added that an Indian army jawan and his wife were also killed.

The deceased were identified as Sepoy Mohmmad Shaukat of Territorial Army and his wife Safia Bi. Their three daughters identified as Zaida Kouser (6), Robina Kouser (12) and Nazia Bi were injured as was another person.

There have been 23 incidents of ceasefire violations, one BAT attack and two infiltration bids by Pakistan in June this year in which four people including three jawans were killed and 12 injured, officials said.