Jammu, Sep 10 (IANS): Using heavy firing and shelling on Thursday Pakistan violated ceasefire in many places on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

Colonel Devender Anand, Defence Ministry spokesman said, "Pakistan initiated the unprovoked ceasefire violation by firing with small arms and shelling with mortars along the LoC in many locations.

"At 5.30 a.m. Pakistan violated the ceasefire in the Mankote sector. At about 11 a.m. Pakistan violated ceasefire in Degwar and again at 12.15 p.m. Pakistan violated ceasefire in the Mendhar sector of Poonch district.

"At all these places Indian army is retaliating befittingly".

Pakistan has been violating the bilateral ceasefire agreement signed between India and Pakistan in February 1999 with impunity since the beginning of this year.

In over 2,730 such violations so far on the LoC, 24 civilians have been killed and over 100 injured.

Frequent cross border shelling has brought misery into the lives of hundreds of villagers living close to the LoC as raining shells threaten their lives, homes, cattle and agricultural fields.