Jammu, Oct 17 (IANS): Pakistan Army Friday violated the 2003 bilateral ceasefire agreement along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, forcing Indian Army to retaliate effectively.

"Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked firing at the Indian positions on the LoC in Hamirpur sector of Poonch district today (Friday) morning using automatic weapons," a police officer said here.

"Indian Army retaliated effectively to Pakistan's unprovoked firing with same calibre weapons. Firing exchanges started at 9.55 a.m. and continued till 10.30 a.m.."

The officer said Pakistan Army Thursday fired at Indian positions at 9 p.m., prompting India to retaliate. Firing exchanges lasted till 11 p.m.

More than 30,000 residents of border villages in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts of the Jammu region are presently living in relief camps after Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprecedented peace-time shelling on civilian habitations along the international border Oct 6.

Eight civilians have been killed and 60 others injured in Pakistan shelling since Oct 6.