LoC flare up leaves two minors killed, 12 others injured
Two minors were killed and 12 civilians including women and children were injured when Indian and Pakistan armies exchanged fire on the Line of Control (Loc), in Poonch sector of Jammu division.
According to the police sources, the firing from the other side began last evening and stopped by 9.30 pm after retaliation by the Indian troops.
However, Pakistani troops resumed mortar shelling in Digwar area around 10.25 am on Monday.
Sources said that Asrar Ahmad, 10 son of Muhmmad Rashid of Mohalla Kasba was killed when Pakistan restored to unprovoked firing in Kerni sector of Poonch in the wee hours of Monday.
The injured included Reshma Bi, 55, and her son Mohammad Rafiq, (31), both residents of Qasba, besides Yasir Hussain, 13, Mohammad Sadiq, 13 and Mohammd Sadiq, 54, all residents of Bagialdara. The victims were rushed to government district hospital at Poonch. Police said that Rafiq was airlifted to GMC&H Jammu for specialized treatment.
While as in another incident of firing from Pakistan side Yasmin Akhtar, 15, daughter of Muhmmad Sidiq of Digwar was killed under same circumstances in Digwar sector of Poonch district.
Meanwhile, the injured included Yashir Hussain age 13 yrs son of Fazal Din, Mohammad Sadiq age,16, son of Nazar Hussain, Mohammad Sadiq, 54, son of Mohammad Hussain of Bagaldara, Mohammad Sajad, 30, son of Barkat Hussain of Banpat, Sehima Bi, 22 yrs wife of Mohammad Sadiq, Zobia Kousar, 05, daughter of Mohammad Sadiq of Digwar Terwian, Tazam Akhter, 18, daughter of Mohammad Sadiq of Digwar, Parveen Akhter, 14 , daughter of Akhter Hussain of Tadma, Naseem Akhter, 25, wife of Mohammad Kabir of Digwar, Arfan Shabir, 12, son of Mohammad Shabir of Bagyal Dhara were injured in the firing. Police said that Sidiq was airlifted to Jammu for specialised treatment.
According to a police statement, “Today at 0630 hrs, Pakistan violated ceasefire by resorting border firing with heavy/small weapons in Digwar and Karni Sector of District Poonch resulting 02 locals killed and 12 other got injured. At 1100 hrs firing stopped from both side.”
Reacting to the development, the deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Dr. Nirmal Singh said that Pakistan is a country of cowards and needs to be taught a lesson.
“Pakistan is a country of cowards — on one side they show white flags and on other target civilians. Our Indian army is retaliating. In coming days, we will soon teach a good lesson to the terror country Pakistan,” he told reporters.
Meanwhile, two days ago on Saturday, Pakistan army claimed that Indian army with heavy weapons have targeted civilians from across the frontier in the disputed region of Kashmir, killing two villagers and a soldier.
On Saturday, a day after the attack, the army said in a statement that a soldier was killed and three others wounded while evacuating villagers.
KV Correspondent
