June 5, 2002	Wednesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 23,1423

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MUZAFFARABAD, June 4: Two people were killed and at least 15, including seven women, injured in different areas of Azad Kashmir in unabated Indian shelling from across the Line of Control on Tuesday, civil and military officials said.

Heavy shelling started in Leepa valley, some 100 kilometres southeast of Muzaffarabad, at 4.30pm, during which the Indians used medium artillery, mortars and machine guns, killing one person and injuring nine others, including two women, they said.

The names of the victims could not immediately be ascertained.

Military officials said Pakistani troops effectively retaliated and killed at least eight Indian soldiers and destroyed four of their bunkers.

Leepa valley, which has previously seen heavy casualties and destruction, was hit last on Monday since the tensions along the LoC arose in mid-May.

In Abbaspur sector of the southern Poonch district, one person was killed and one injured. Two women were injured in Battal village in Hajira sector in the same district. Two more women were injured in Forward Kahuta sector in the neighbouring Bagh district.

A 25-year-old woman was injured in Seri village in Khuiratta sector in the southern Kotli district.

Shelling was also reported from the southernmost Bhimbher district, but no casualties occurred there till last reports came in.

Shelling along the LoC is a daily occurrence causing frequent civilian casualties.