Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 25: A Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) was martyred and a woman killed in intense shelling by Pakistani troops in Uri sector along the Line of Control in Baramulla district today.
An official said that Pakistani troops resorted to unprovoked firing along the LoC in Uri sector this morning around 11.30 a.m. He said that Indian troops gave befitting reply to Pakistani troops inflicting heavy casualties on them in the sector.
One Army jawan was also martyred in the firing at a forward post along LoC in Hajipeer sector. He has been identified as Brijesh Karate, of 18 Martha LI. He was hit by a shell and succumbed at the post.
The shells fell in Silkote, Soura, Hathlanga, Mothal and Balkote villages causing panic among the people. A resident Javed Ahmad said that there is panic in these areas as shells are landing in the residential areas as well. He said that heavy shelling in the area is still going on and people are terrified.
This evening the shelling also started in Churanda village killing a woman identified as Naseema Bano. She died inside her house when a shell hit it. The shelling in the village was going on and people are unable to come out of their houses to offer condolences to the family.
There has been frequent shelling in North Kashmir since August 5 and in Uri only at least five families are sheltering in Uri after shells hit some villages near LoC.
There have been frequent ceasefire violations by Pakistan in North Kashmir along the LoC since August 5 with Uri and Kupwara worst hit by the shelling. Several houses were damaged this sector and dozens of families have shifted from the area.
The villages of Dulanja, Batar, Mariyan, Kamalkote, Chakra, Isham, Mothal, Silikote, Hathlanaga, Balkote, Tilawari, Chotali, Sumawali, Maidanan, Gagarhill, Tilawari, Churanda and Banali have been affected in recent shelling in Uri. Over four dozen houses were damaged in the shelling so far since August.
Tangdar has also been worst affected where several villages were in the direct firing range. The people living along the LoC villages were facing constant threat and they have been demanding bunkers for their safety. Some of the bunkers were constructed before 2003 ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan along the LoC but they were damaged in 2005 earthquake.
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