Truce violation: The LoC Trade Centre wall damaged in Pakistani mortar fire at Chakan da Bagh in Poonch district. PTI

Amir Karim Tantray & DK Sudan

Tribune News Service

Jammu/Poonch, March 14

After targeting the LoC Trade Centre at Chakan da Bagh in Poonch on Sunday, the Pakistani army rained mortars on it again on Monday.One shell landed on the building situated near the LoC in Poonch on Sunday and four shells struck it on Monday, which damaged the roof of the administrative block. The Pakistani army used 80 mm and 120 mm mortars to target the trade centre. The Indian Army retaliated in an equivalent manner.The shelling has frightened employees as well as locals.“Since the trade centre has been targeted, employees as well as local residents are living in deep fear. The shelling has halted the trade as no truck crossed the LoC today. We tried to resume the trade by taking a truck up to the LoC but there was no response from the Pakistani side,” said Tanvir Ahmed, Trade Facilitation Officer at the Chakan da Bagh Trade Centre, Poonch.From Tuesday to Friday, around 100 vehicles from the Indian side cross over to the Pakistani side daily while 40-50 trucks enter India. Though there are 21 items on the list of trade, these days fresh fruits and spices are being exchanged between the two sides.The tension has also led to the suspension of cross-LoC bus service ‘Rahen Milan’ for a week. It will be resumed only after the situation improves, Ahmed said.