Pakistani girl killed in Kashmir border firing: officials

Published June 19, 2013
File photo from January 16, 2013 shows Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers patroling the fenced border with Pakistan. – Photo by Reuters
File photo from January 16, 2013 shows Indian Border Security Force (BSF) soldiers patroling the fenced border with Pakistan. – Photo by Reuters

ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani girl was killed Wednesday when Indian troops opened fire across the de facto border that divides disputed Kashmir, Pakistani officials said.

The incident took place in Rawlakot district, around 65 kilometres east of Islamabad near the Line of Control (LoC) separating the Indian and Pakistani-controlled sectors of the Himalayan territory.

“Indian troops resorted to small arms and artillery fire in Battal area killing a 10-year old girl and wounding her mother,” a senior security official told AFP.

He said Pakistani troops returned fire and senior local official Sohail Azam, confirming the casualties, told AFP sporadic exchanges were ongoing.

He said the girl died after shrapnel from a mortar fired by Indian troops hit her house in Battal area.

Local resident Imtiaz Ahmad told AFP that he and other members of his family were confined to their house because of Indian firing.

On Tuesday, Indian troops opened fire on a small village in Kotli town along the LoC, injuring a 65-year old woman.

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