JAMMU, SEPT 2: As the date for first phase of Lok Sabha polls draws closer, the Pakistani troops have stepped up both shelling and attempts to push in heavily armed militants from across the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.Five Pakistani soldiers and eight foreign mercenaries - all in combat dress - were killed by the Indian Army at Pallanwala (Jammu) and Balakote (Poonch) areas, respectively, on Tuesday night. While the former had crossed over the LoC to attack an Indian post, the latter had infiltrated into the State to disrupt the forthcoming LS elections.Apart from this, ten people including five Indian Armymen were injured as heavy mortar shells pounded Pallanwala sector two days ago. Five Armymen were also injured in shelling at Mandiala Heights near Chhamb and five civilians in Molu Sector near Pargwal.The Indian Army retaliated, inflicting heavy casualties on the Pakistani side. The intermittent exchange of shelling between the two sides took place in the area today aswell.
