Two porters killed in Pakistani firing

Two porters were killed and two jawans injured on Sunday when Pakistani troops,violating the seven-year-old ceasefire along the Line of Control (LoC),fired on Indian positions at Machhil sector in Jammu and Kashmir,a defence spokesman said.

Pakistani troops opened fire on Indian posts and positions in Machhil sector,140 kms from here,around 7.30 AM without any provocation,defence spokesman Lt Col J S Brar said.

Two porters were killed on the spot and two army jawans injured in the firing,he said.

In 2003,India and Pakistan had announced a ceasefire on the LoC.

The incident comes ahead of Indo-Pakistan foreign secretary-level talks and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram’s visit to Islamabad for the SAARC Interior Minister’s Conference.