After Indian air strikes in Balakot in the wee hours of Tuesday, Pakistani troops fired mortar shells and small arms across the Line of Control at several areas in Jammu and Kashmir in a sharp escalation of ceasefire violations that have been underway for the last three consecutive days.

In the shelling five Indian soldiers have been injured in the Akhnoor sector.

The Indian Army informed that it retaliated firmly destroying five Pakistani posts and causing a number of casualties.

The Pakistan Army used heavy weaponry, firing heavy calibre weapons targeting 12 to 15 places in Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch districts since 6:30 pm, said the army in a statement. The sectors targeted include Krishna Gati, Balakote, Khari Karmara, Mankote, Tarkundi in Poonch district, Kalal, Baba Khori, Kalsian, Laam and Jhangar areas in Rajouri and Pallanwala and Laleali in Jammu.

Pakistan had shelled forward posts in the state's Poonch, Mendhar and Nowshera sectors earlier in the day too, prompting a firm response from the Indian forces.

Due to the tensed situation in the state, schools within 5 km of the LoC are closed and exams will be postponed.