10-year-old boy and teenage girl killed in heavy India-Pakistan cross-border firing in J&K's Poonch district

Indian and Pakistani troops traded heavy fire on Monday on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district. Quoting the police, media reported that a ten-year-old boy and a teenage girl were killed while nine other civilians were injured as Pakistani troops opened fire and lobbed mortars at dozens of villages and posts along the Line of Control in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. The deceased have been identified as 10-year-old Israr Ahmed of Kerni and Yasmeen Akhtar of Kerma village of Dighwar. The injured include Reshma Bi, 55, and her son Mohammad Rafiq, 31, both residents of Kerni. The spokesman said Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked and heavy firing and shelling from across the border in Dhigwar, Kerni and Shahpur sectors around 0650 hours. A ten-year-old boy and 15-year-old girl were killed and nine other civilians were injured in the Pakistani firing targeting different villages, he said. The condition of three of the injured was stated to be “critical”. The critically injured persons were referred to the Government Medical College Hospital here for specialised treatment, the spokesman said. The firing and shelling by Pakistan sparked panic among border residents.  

#Visuals Ceasefire violation by Pakistan in Keri and Digwar areas of Poonch district (J&K), three civilians injured. pic.twitter.com/LOPXLVoNOc

— ANI (@ANI) October 2, 2017

The official said that Pakistani troops targetted dozens of villages and posts in Shahpur, Kirni and Qasba sectors in the early hours, resulting in the death of a boy and injuries to five other civilians. The casualties occurred as some of the shells fell in Kerni village. Reports also said that the Indian security forces neutralised one infiltrator even as search operations are underway. The official said the heavy cross-border firing started around 0650 hours, triggering panic among border residents. He said the injured civilians have been rushed to a hospital.

#UPDATE | One infiltrator killed by security forces in J&K's Keran sector. Search operation continues (ANI)

— The Times Of India (@timesofindia) October 2, 2017

“After the Pakistan Army resorted to unprovoked shelling and firing at Indian positions, Indian military retaliated strongly and effectively. “Shelling and firing exchanges are going on,” the sources added. The year 2017 has seen a sharp increase in ceasefire violations by Pakistan. Till 1 August, 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. Police sources said heavy shelling and firing started between the two armies in Kerni area. More details are awaited. With inputs from agencies