December 27, 2001	Thursday	Shawwal 11, 1422

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

SIALKOT, Dec 26: Four people, including a Jawan of the Chenab Rangers were killed, while nine persons, including four women and three minor children, were injured in the Indian shelling on border villages in the Chhumb, Bajwat, Chaprar and Shakargarh sectors of Sialkot working boundary in the early hours of Tuesday.

According to the official sources, the Indian security forces shelled the Pakistani border village Surakhpur in Bajwat sector, killing Tafneeta Bibi, 8, and Mohammad Ashraf, 42, on the spot and injuring Manzooran Bibi, 25, Shakeela Bibi, 10, Sajida Bibi, 26, Jamshaid, 2, one-year-old Rizwan, and Aslat, 5.

The injured were admitted to Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital Gujrat, where their condition was stated to be critical. More than 26 houses were badly damaged in the Indian shelling on Surakhpur village in Bajwat sector.

The Jawan of the Chenab Rangers was also killed in Bajwat sector. His name could not be ascertained.

The official sources said the Indian security forces also fired several mortar shells on village Chak Chamiyaan of Sialkot working boundary’s Shakargarh sector, killing a villager Maula Bux, 7, and injuring Mehr Javaid, 18. Several houses were also damaged in the shelling in this village.

In village Surgpur of Chaprar sector, a young girl Shumaila, 17, was also injured in the Indian shelling.

The injured have been admitted to CMH Sialkot in critical condition.

Official sources said that five Indian armymen were killed and several injured in counter-offensive launched by the Chenab Rangers near BSF 47’s Gargaal headquarters in front of Indian post Sudaran along with Sialkot working boundary’s Akhnor sector. Their vehicle was also destroyed by Chenab Rangers.

AFP ADDS: Indian forces on Wednesday claimed killing 16 Pakistani soldiers and destroying 19 bunkers in heavy fire across the Line of Control, a United News of India report said in New Delhi.

The news agency, quoting defence sources in occupied Jammu, said Indian forces responded to Pakistani firing with about 100 rounds of mortar shells and 2,000 rounds of heavy machinegun fire.

Pakistan said the report was baseless.

“It’s totally baseless,” said a Pakistani military spokesman. “Not a single Pakistani soldier has embraced Shahadat (martyrdom). They are safe and sound.”

He claimed India was targeting civilian areas and Pakistani troops were retaliating.

“During the past one week six civilians died and 15 were injured, including four children.”