At least three persons were killed and five others injured as Pakistan and India border troops resumed firing across the Line of Control (LoC) on Monday.

A 30-year old police constable, Imtiaz, died on the spot after being hit by a mortar shell in Nakyal sector of Kotli, Assistant Commissioner Nakyal Sardar Zeeshan Nisar told Dawn.

A women Azmat Bibi was killed in Oli Panjni and a man Safri was killed in Bai Dhara villages of Nakyal sector, Nisar added.

“The Indians are ruthlessly targeting civilian populations. Exact losses can be obtained only when the shelling subsides,” he said.

Mohammad Bashir and Said Mohammad were injured in Nakyal sector and referred to DHQ Hospital Kotli, a paramedic told Dawn.

Haji Azad, a resident of Nakyal, told Dawn by telephone, “Indiscriminate shelling began in the morning and is ongoing, forcing everyone to stay indoors.”

“Since mobile communication in the most forward locations is disturbed and vehicular and pedestrian movement impossible, exact figures about losses are not instantly reaching the rear areas,” he added.

In the northeastern Neelum valley, Indian troops hit a vehicle on the main Neelum valley road near Danjar, causing injuries to two passengers, including a young boy.

Another person was injured in Falakan village, said Deputy Commissioner Neelum Sardar Waheed.

“The shelling was sporadic and has stopped at the moment,” he said.

He added that the administration was not allowing any tourist in the area, but local residents can carefully travel.

Military sources said Pakistani troops were also “befittingly” responding to Indian shelling.

The Battal, Madarpur and Darra Sher Khan sectors in the southern Poonch district remained calm on Monday.

Earlier on Sunday, six people, including two women, were injured in these sectors in Indian shelling that continued till late evening.

At least 25 houses and three vehicles were partially or completely damaged and four cattle heads killed in Sunday’s shelling in Battal, Madarpur and Darra Sher Khan sectors.

“Today our area is calm, but you never know when will it resume,” said Chaudhry Altaf, deputy commissioner Poonch.