4 more civilians injured, trade suspended
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: Pakistan continued heavy mortar shelling and firing for second consecutive day today in Shahpur sector along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district causing injuries to four civilians while three Pakistani troops were killed and their seven posts destroyed in retaliatory action by the Indian Army.
Authorities suspended cross-LoC trade on Poonch-Rawlakote route in view of continued shelling and firing and increased tension between the two countries.
Pakistan army today said they have lost three soldiers in Indian shelling and firing on the LoC in Rakhchakri area of Rawlakote sector, opposite Poonch district.
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Pakistan Military spokesman Major Gen Asif Ghafoor said in a statement that Indian troops resorted to unprovoked shelling and firing in Rakhchakri area of Rawlakote sector.
He confirmed killing of three Pakistan army personnel.
There were reports that at least seven posts of Pakistan army have been destroyed by the Indian troops in retaliatory action across LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts.
Reports also said that some terror launch pads of the militants were also targeted by the Indian troops across the LoC and they have been hit. The launch pads were targeted in anticipation of presence of militants there amid reports that they could try to infiltrate into the Indian territory.
However, it couldn’t be ascertained immediately as to whether how many militants were killed in the Indian Army action.
Meanwhile, frustrated by the killing of its three jawans, destruction of seven posts and targeting of terror camps by Indian troops, Pakistan army this evening again resorted to heavy mortar shelling and firing on civilian areas in Shahpur sector of Poonch district.
Four civilians were injured as several mortar shells fired by Pakistan army exploded either inside or close to houses in Shahpur sector.
Security personnel and local people evacuated injured from the site of shelling and firing and shifted them to District Hospital in Poonch.
Injured have been identified as Shabir son of Mohammad Hussain R/o Ward No. 6, Shahpur, who was working as civilian porter with Army, Nafisa Kouser, 17, daughter of Maroof Ahmad R/o Bandichechian (Kojra Mohalla), Zarida Akhter wife of Muzaffar Hussain, also a resident of Bandichechian and Towheed Ahmad, 15, son of Jehangir Ahmad R/o Ari, Mendhar, who was studying in a Madarsa at Bandichechian.
Prior to targeting of Shahpur, Pakistan army also pounded civilian areas in Mankote sector of Poonch and Nowshera sector of Rajouri district.
Indian Army retaliated Pakistan shelling and firing at all the places very effectively and strongly, sources said, adding intensity of the shelling was less today as compared to yesterday.
Nearly a dozen houses, cattle shed and other structures were reported to have been damaged in Shahpur sector today.
Yesterday, a BSF Inspector and two civilians including an infant girl and a woman were martyred and 24 others, five of them security personnel and rest civilians, were injured in Pakistan shelling and firing in Poonch district.
Educational institutions within five kilometers radius of the Line of Control (LoC) remained closed for second consecutive day today in view of shelling and firing. People in most of the villages falling along LoC remained indoors and confined to bunkers or houses.
While body of martyr BSF Inspector was flown to his native State with full military hours, bodies of two civilians were buried in their villages.
Meanwhile, authorities ordered suspension of cross-LoC trade on Poonch-Rawlakote route today in view of tension on the borders.
About 35 trucks had reached Poonch for crossing over to Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) along with goods. The trucks remained stranded as authorities decided against holding the trade today to ensure safety of the truckers.
Decision on resumption of cross-LoC trade tomorrow will be taken depending upon the situation, sources said.
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