2 AJK civilians killed in 'unprovoked' firing by Indian troops across LoC: ISPR

Published March 11, 2019
The casualties were caused when Indian forces targeted the civilian population in Chakothi sector. — AFP/File
The casualties were caused when Indian forces targeted the civilian population in Chakothi sector. — AFP/File

At least two civilians including a woman were killed and four others injured when Indian troops resorted to "unprovoked" firing across the Line of Control (LoC), the military's media wing said in a statement on Monday.

The casualties were caused when Indian forces targeted the civilian population in Chakothi sector of Jhelum Valley district along the de facto border.

"Pakistan army troops responded effectively [by] targeting [the] Indian post which initiated [the] fire," read the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement.

The dead were identified as Noushad Bibi, a resident of Soka village, and Ghulam Hussain, who lived in Bakot village.

Four people identified as Raja Mehmood (r/o Darang More), Zahida Bibi (r/o Bari Bhaik), Ghulam Muhammad and Muhammad Zakir (r/o Bakot village) sustained injuries in the firing.

The casualties come a day after guns again started roaring along the restive LoC after a three-day lull. On Sunday, Indian firing had left a civilian dead and four others injured in Pandu, Chakothi and Khilana sectors of Jhelum Valley district.

The heavily militarised LoC that splits the disputed Himalayan region of Kashmir between Pakistan and India had been very tense after Indian jets intruded into Pakistani airspace on February 26 and jettisoned their payload in Balakot. A day later, the Pakistan Air Force shot down two Indian jets in Bhimber district.

Since then, six civilians have been killed and around 40 others wounded in Indian shelling in different areas of AJK.

Opinion

The Dar story continues

The Dar story continues

One wonders what the rationale was for the foreign minister — a highly demanding, full-time job — being assigned various other political responsibilities.

Editorial

Wheat protests
Updated 01 May, 2024

Wheat protests

The government should withdraw from the wheat trade gradually, replacing the existing market support mechanism with an effective new one over the next several years.
Polio drive
01 May, 2024

Polio drive

THE year’s fourth polio drive has kicked off across Pakistan, with the aim to immunise more than 24m children ...
Workers’ struggle
Updated 01 May, 2024

Workers’ struggle

Yet the struggle to secure a living wage — and decent working conditions — for the toiling masses must continue.
All this talk
Updated 30 Apr, 2024

All this talk

The other parties are equally legitimate stakeholders in the country’s political future, and it must give them due consideration.
Monetary policy
30 Apr, 2024

Monetary policy

ALIGNING its decision with the trend in developed economies, the State Bank has acted wisely by holding its key...
Meaningless appointment
30 Apr, 2024

Meaningless appointment

THE PML-N’s policy of ‘family first’ has once again triggered criticism. The party’s latest move in this...