Jammu, Oct 18 (IANS): Pakistan Army has resorted to unprovoked overnight firing at Indian positions on the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, defence sources said.

The sources told IANS in winter capital Jammu, "Pakistan Army started unprovoked firing at our positions in Hamirpur sector of Poonch district at 8.55 p.m. Friday using automatics and small arms."

"Pakistan firing was effectively retaliated by our side using same calibre weapons. Firing exchanges continued in the area for nearly an hour," the sources said.

"No casualty or damage has been reported from our side."

This is the third violation by Pakistan army on the LoC in Hamirpur sector that has taken place during the last three days.

Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprecedented peace-time shelling of civilian habitations on the international border in Jammu district Oct 6.

The ceasefire violations were later extended by Pakistan Rangers to Samba and Kathua districts while its army started violating the ceasefire on the LoC in the Poonch district.

Eight people have been killed and 62 injured in Pakistan shelling of civilian habitations in the Jammu region since October 6.

Over 30,000 residents of border villages are living in relief camps set up in areas not vulnerable to Pakistan shelling, away from the international border in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.