Jammu: Two persons, including a Border Security Force (BSF) head constable, were killed as Pakistani troops on August 30 attempted to stall border fencing work along the line of control (LoC) in Poonch and Rajouri sectors of Jammu and Kashmir, official sources said.

Armed with field guns, Pakistan troops fired mortar bombs of 81 and 120 mm range targeting border fencing work, field defence locations and some civilian areas along LoC in Poonch sector on August 30 morning, the sources said.

The areas which came under heavy mortar shelling included Mendhar, Balakote, Balnoi, Daragaloon and Sonagali, Kalal, Jhangar and Noushera of Rajouri-Poonch belt, the sources said, adding a BSF head constable and a civilian were killed in the shelling in Sonagali and Balakote areas in Poonch.

However, there was no disruption in border fencing work and shelling was still on when reports last came in from the area, the sources said.

"Pakistan troops are trying to stall fencing work and push in armed militants to keep the pot of militancy boiling in Jammu and Kashmir," they said.

Indian troops guarding LoC retaliated and exchanges were on, the sources said, adding there were no reports about any casualty on the other side of the border.

Intermittent small arms firing exchanges also took place along the international border in some areas of R S Pura and Samba sectors where fencing work was continuing. No damage to property or loss of lives was reported, they added.

PTI