December 24, 2002	Tuesday	Shawwal 19, 1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

MUZAFFARABAD, Dec 23: At least three civilians were wounded in Neelum valley in northeast of Muzaffarabad after being hit by unprovoked Indian firing on Monday, officials said. The Indian troops, an official told Dawn, were targeting vehicles and pedestrians on the main road in Neelum valley, which runs along the right bank of zigzagging Neelum river, since late Sunday night, using both small and heavy arms.

A truck (AJKA-7265) was targeted after midnight near the village of Chilyana, and as a result its driver, Maqbool Ahmed, was critically injured.

The main Neelum valley road can be hit from across the Line of Control even by small arms. The vehicles use alternative routes, but those are also vulnerable at various points. The truck was moving on the main road without turning the lights on, even then it was attacked.

Two more people were injured near Chilyana village on Monday noon.

Identified as Mohammad Ayub and Yaqoob Khan, they were removed to a military hospital near the town of Athmuqam.

Firing was continuing in the upper and lower belts of the valley until the filing of this report.