2 dead, 14 injured as Pak pounds villages in Jammu and Kashmir
A nine-year-old boy and a teenage girl were on Monday killed while 11 other civilians were injured as Pakistani troops opened fire at more than 10 villages and security posts along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir today.
Indian troops fired in retaliation to silence the Pakistani guns and the exchange of fire between the two sides was continuing when last reports came in.
The deceased have been identified as Asrar Ahmad of Mohallha Qasba and Yasmeen Akhtar of Kerma village of Dighwar.
Rajouri Deputy Commissioner Tariq Ahmad Zargar said four villages, including Qasba, Kirni and Digwar, were worst hit. “Of the four critically injured, two were airlifted to Government Medical College and Hospital, Jammu,” he said. Among the seriously injured was five-year-old Zabia Kousar of Digwar, who sustained splinter injuries in her abdomen and liver, said Dr Niaz Choudhry, Medical Superintendent, Poonch.
On September 29, the Pakistan Rangers had committed to uphold the ceasefire. The firing and shelling by Pakistan sparked panic among border residents.
The spokesman said the heavy cross-border firing started around 0650 hours, triggering panic among border residents. A BSF jawan was on Monday injured in sniper firing by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control in the Rajouri sector of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
The jawan, constable S Ramachari, suffered injuries to his forearm and abdomen and was rushed to a nearby military hospital, they added.
Till August 1, there were 285 violations by Pakistani forces while in 2016, the number was significantly less at 228 for the entire year, according to Army figures.
-PTC News
