Pakistani troops pounded forward posts and civilian areas along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch District with heavy shelling and firing, forcing the Army to retaliate. Pakistani troops fired mortars, rocket-projectile grenades (RPGs) and automatic weapons targeting forward posts since 2330 hrs in violation of ceasefire, a Defence spokesman said on Monday (September 7). They fired 82 mm mortar shells, RPGs and used automatic and small arms, he said. The shells also landed in civilian areas. "Army carried out effective retaliation resulting in exchanges which were going on when reports last came in from the area," the spokesman said. There has been no casualty on Indian side, he said. Pakistani troops have violated the ceasefire eight times in September this year ahead of Director General-level talks between the border guarding forces of India and Pakistan from September 9.