KOTLI: A boy was killed and another injured when a mortar shell exploded in Dantoot village in the Nakyal sector along the Line of Control (LoC).

Deputy Commissioner Kotli Chaudhry Mukhtar Hussain told newsmen here on Saturday that the two boys had found the mortar shell in a field where their animals were grazing. The shell had been allegedly fired by Indian troops some time back.

Muhammad Anis was killed on the spot while Habibur Rehman sustained critical injuries. They were shifted to District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ) Kotli.

It is pertinent to mention that on Oct 17, military officials from Pakistan and India stressed the need for improving communication between field commanders to prevent ceasefire violations along the LoC.

Both sides described the interaction as another step towards rebuilding confidence after intense exchanges on the LoC last year that were described by Indian Army Chief General Bikram Singh as “a mini-war”.