Minor among three killed in Kupwara shelling
Srinagar, Apr 12:Three civilians including a minor and a woman were killed in intense shelling from across the LoC in north Kashmir’s Kupwara today, police said.
A police official said that three civilians, two from Chowkibal and a minor from Timuna Vilgam village of Kupuwara were killed during LoC shelling late this afternoon.
He said that the jurisdiction comes under two different police districts.
Among the three killed, two come under Kupwara and the other under Handwara police district.
“Two civilians including a lady were killed who belong to Chowkibal Kupwara and the minor belongs to Timuna, Vilgam jurisdiction of Handwara police”, he said.
Officials earlier said that Pakistani rangers resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation creating fear among the local population and targeted the posts of Indian Army on Sunday afternoon.
They said that the initial fire started from Hajitara, Dhani and later in the areas like Manzgam, Malikpora, TCP, Hafrada, Kralpora andTumna Hachimarg chowkibal.
Senior Superintendent of police (SSP) Kupwara, Shriram Ambarkar , told that two civilians have died in Chowkibal area. “The assessment and evacuation process is underway and people are being moved to safer places”, he said.
There is no immediate report about the damages to houses and other property as of now the people are being moved to safer places to ensure their safety once this ends only then exact figures can be disclosed, he said.
Meanwhile, Pakistani rangers continued unprovoked shelling on forward posts and villages along the Line of Control and the International Border in Poonch.
Pakistan started firing small arms and mortar shells in Qasba and Kirni sectors at 1.40 pm, inviting a strong and effective retaliation by the Indian Army, a defence spokesman said.
The cross-border firing was still going on, according to latest reports.
Pakistan has repeatedly violated ceasefire for a week despite the challenges faced by the two countries due to the coronavirus outbreak.
Mohammad Shoukat, 28, received splinter injuries when a mortar shell exploded near his house in Qasba sector and he had to be shifted to Poonch district hospital for treatment, the officials said.
Alive mortar bomb, which failed to explode during heavy Pakistan shelling in Balakote sector, was destroyed by Indian Army experts.
Saleema Bi, 45, a resident of Lanjout village, received splinter injuries late Saturday night. She was rescued by a joint team of Army, police personnel and health workers amid intense shelling and admitted to a hospital where she is stable now,the officials said.
Balakote and Mendhar sectors witnessed heavy firing and shelling for several hours Saturday night. Several houses were damaged in the Pakistani shelling, they said.
Hiranagar sector along the IB in Kathua district of Jammu region was also rocked by a heavy exchange of fire between Pakistani and India troops throughout the night.
Pakistan initiated the ceasefire violation by firing on three forward areas in Karol Matrai, Faqeera and Chandwa around 9pm, drawing retaliation by the BSF guarding the IB. Pakistan used mortars to target the posts and villages, causing panic among the border residents who took shelter in underground bunkers.
Two cows were also hit and medical teams attended to them after the firing stopped around 4 am. (with inputs from PTI, KNO)
KV Network
