Pakistani forces fired six mortar shells in intermittent firing in Jhangarh area of Nowshera sector in Rajouri district for 45 minutes from 0640 hours, Defence spokesman Lt. Col S D Goswami said in Jammu. The Line of Control (LoC) has been violated by Pakistan on at least 20 occasions since January this year.

Indian troops exercised restraint and did not retaliate, Goswami said, adding there was no loss of life or damage to property in the shelling.

"The troops are alert all along the LoC to foil any evil design of the enemy", the spokesman added.

Responding to Thursday's incident, Minister of State for External Affairs Anand Sharma said ceasefire violations by Pakistan were not acceptable to India and that they would further vitiate the security environment in the region.

India's concerns over these incidents have been firmly and clearly conveyed to Pakistan''s leadership and government, Sharma said.