MUZAFFARABAD: A young girl was injured in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Friday in what officials said “sudden, unprovoked” firing by Indian security personnel from across the Line of Control (LoC).

Rabia Noreen, 13, was grazing cattle at Kenthi Gala village in Nakyal sector of Kotli district when she was hit by the small arms fire at around 5pm, SSP Kotli Muhammad Amin said.

The village lies in proximity of a heavily militarised unmarked LoC.

Know more: Indian border violations will meet befitting response: Gen Raheel

“The small arms fire was sudden and without any provocation. The girl was hit in the neck,” Mr Amin said, adding she had been taken to the DHQ Hospital Kotli in critical condition.

Officials said there was no exchange of fire between Indian and Pakistani troops.

On Feb 14, a 62-year-old Pakistani collecting firewood from a field near the LoC in Poonch district was killed in unprovoked firing by Indian troops, prompting Islamabad to lodge a strong protest with New Delhi.

Our Correspondent in Sialkot adds: The Indian Border Security Force resorted to unprovoked mortar shelling on border villages in Harpal, Umeraanwali and Bajra Garhi sectors of the Working Boundary on Friday night.

According to senior officials of the Chenab Rangers in Sialkot, the BSF started shelling Pakistani areas at 8:30pm which continued for hours.

The Chenab Rangers returned the fire instantly, they said.

No casualty was reported.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2015

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