Ceasefire violations persist across LoC in Jammu

Jammu, May 5: With no let up in incidents of ceasefire violation amid heightened tension, the Pakistan Army Monday resorted to small arms firing across the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Nowshera, Sunderbani and Akhnoor sectors in the Jammu region.

This was the second consecutive day when the Pakistan Army targeted these six sectors across the LoC in the Jammu region.

Indian Army said that small arms firing from Pakistan posts ensued exchange of fire between the two sides.

ìIndian troops responded in equal measure,î the Army said.

ìDuring the night of May 4 and 5, 2025, Pakistan Army posts resorted to unprovoked small arms fire across the Line of Control (LoC) in areas opposite Poonch, Rajouri, Mendhar, Nowshera, Sunderbani and Akhnoor in J&K. Indian Army responded promptly and proportionately,î PRO Defence Lt Col Suneel Bartwal said

The areas across the LoC in the Akhnoor sector in Jammu district recorded a ceasefire violation for the seventh consecutive day on Monday.

However, Poonch and Nowshera in twin border districts on Sunday witnessed the exchange of fire between the two sides after a lull for 24 hours.

In the Sunderbani sector, Pakistan Army posts had initiated unprovoked small-arms fire across the Line of Control during the night of April 30 and May 1, 2025.

Since April 25 the ceasefire violation was reported in the Mendhar sector for the first time on Sunday.

On Friday night, the Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked firing in the Poonch, Nowshera and Akhnoor sectors and it was responded to, in a befitting manner, by the Indian Army.

Prior to it, an exchange of fire between two sides in Akhnoor had taken place during the nights of May 1, April 30 and April 29 also.

On the night of April 30 and May 1, 2025, the Pakistan Army was targeted across the Line of Control opposite the Nowshera and Sunderbani sectors also and across the International Border in the Pargwal sector of Jammu region.

Similar exchanges of fire between the two sides took place during the intervening night of April 27 and 28, along LoC across areas opposite Poonch district.

Amid expedited harvesting of crops, the exercise of cleaning and repairs of bunkers by the inhabitants is also underway in border villages of Jammu, both on the Line of Control and the International Border.

Meanwhile, mock drills are also being conducted in schools in border areas including Arnia to train students about the steps to be taken in case of any eventuality.

The students are being imparted tips to protect themselves and their junior students in case of border firing.

Arnia, which is among those border areas of Jammu district which bear the maximum brunt of cross-border firing, witnessed a mock drill in some schools on May 1.

During the mock drills, the teachers taught students to hide under desks in case of sudden border firing or any other eventuality. The students were imparted instructions vis-‡-vis protecting themselves while helping junior students also to run to safety.

They were taught to rush to bunkers as and when they would find an apt moment to do so for safety.

In the recent past, Jammu and Kashmir Police along with NSG personnel too have conducted mock drills as a routine exercise in different areas of Jammu, particularly in and around vital installations including Government Medical College Jammu, Railway Station Jammu, to assess the preparedness of troops for any eventuality.

Notably, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday evening asked states to conduct mock drills for effective civil defence on May 7.

Mock drills, as per MHA instructions, will also include training of civilians and students on the civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack.

Amid preparations for exigency, the border villagers in Arnia and R S Pura areas of Jammu district have concerns pertaining to the lack of arrangements for cattle and lack of adequate medical facilities in areas, which remain vulnerable in terms of cross-border firing and shelling.

They demand that the hospitals in the border areas, particularly in the border villages which are situated on and along the zero line, both on the International Border and the LoC should be well-equipped to cater to needs during emergency situations. Besides the lack of adequate medical facilities, other major areas of concern for the border residents pertain to the education of their children and bunker facilities for the cattle.