Facing the brunt of ‘strong’ retaliation by the Indian Army, the Pakistan Army on Tuesday targeted several civilian areas along the line of control in Poonch sector in which a 12th class student and a woman were both killed while nine others received injuries.
According to ground reports, around two dozen forward Indian villages of Shahpur and Kirni sectors were affected in the heavy mortar shelling by the Pakistan Army. In response, the Indian Army gave them a befitting reply.
Local villagers claimed, mortar shells landed in villages which were around 10 kms away from the line of control. Panic stricken residents claimed,”We had never witnessed shelling in the area even at the peak of hostilities during 1999 Kargil war and even during 1965-1971 wars”.
To prevent further loss of lives, several villagers had taken shelter inside bunkers. Tension prevailed along the LoC even as heavy mortar shelling was still going on in the area till the time of filing the report.
Deputy Commissioner of Poonch, Rahul Yadav said, “a 12 th class student identified as Shoaib and 35 year old Woman, identified as Gulnaz were both killed in mortar shelling by the Pakistan Army in Bandi Chichian area while nine others received injuries”.
Rahul Yadav said, out of seven injured, two seriously injured villagers were referred to Government Medical college hospital in Jammu while five of them were undergoing treatment in district hospital, Poonch.
Since August 2019 this year, around 1000 incidents of ceasefire violations have been reported along the line of control and International border across Jammu & Kashmir.
Meanwhile, alert Army jawans on Tuesday apprehended an intruder from PoK while he was trying to sneak inside the Indian territory in Nowshera sector of Rajouri.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Rajouri, Yougal Manhas said, “ On Tuesday afternoon alert army troops guarding the line of control noticed a man who was trying to sneak inside the Indian territory. After nabbing him the intruder was handed over by the army authorities to local police for necessary formalities.
According to police, an intruder from Pok has been identified as Tariq Mahmood son of Fazal Rehman resident of Chai Nalla village of Samahani Tehsil in District Bhimber of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir.
Senior Superintendent of Police Rajouri Yougal Manhas said that cognizance into the matter under relevant sections of law has been taken and accused is under questioning.
He, however, added that no weapon or any such incriminating material has been recovered from the intruder. On the other hand, Northern Army Commander, Lt-Gen Ranbir Singh reviewed overall security situation in the Kashmir valley.
Defence Spokesman, Col Rajesh Kalia in Srinagar said, “Accompanied by Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen KJS Dhillon, the Army commander visited the formations and units in the hinterland in South Kashmir on Tuesday”. He said, Lt-Gen Ranbir Singh was briefed by commanders on ground regarding the operational and logistic preparedness. Interacting with the troops, Lt-Gen Singh stressed upon the need to maintain vigil and defeat terrorist design.