At least nine civilians were martyred and several including women and children injured as a result of unprovoked Indian shelling at the Line of Control (LoC) on Wednesday.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Indian forces carried out unprovoked artillery shelling in Neelum Valley at the LoC. The ISPR placed the death toll at seven civilians martyred and 11 injured.
Indian troops fired a rocket at a passenger bus near Dhaundiyal. They also fired at an ambulance and targeted the settlements along the border, ISPR said.
Seven of those targeted by Indian shelling were critically injured, officials said. A shell was fired at a house where a girl was martyred and three people, including a woman, were injured.
The ISPR added that Pakistani troops responded in a befitting manner to the Indian aggression during which 7 Indian soldiers were killed.
According to the ISPR, three Pakistani soldiers also embraced martyrdom. Those martyred include Capt Taimoor Ali Khan, Havildar Mushtaq Hussain, and Lance Naik Ghulam Hussain.
Educational institutions were shut down in the area for an indefinite period following the heavy shelling. According to Commissioner Neelum Valley, a shahrah leading to Khel was also closed for traffic. Markets in the area were also closed.
Picture of child injured from Indian shelling – Geo News
Protests against Indian aggression
In Mirpur, teachers and students protested against unprovoked Indian firing at the LoC. Protesters chanted anti-Indian and pro-Pakistan slogans.
Calling on the international community to take notice of atrocities being committed, protesters said India was afraid of the freedom movement in Kashmir.
Protest in Mirpur against Indian firing at LoC – Geo News
Politicians condemn Indian aggression
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that in today’s clash Indian Army suffered more losses. “The region can come under fire due to India’s warmongering,” said Asif.
Chief Minister Punjab Shehbaz Sharif condemned Indian firing at the LoC. Shehbaz Sharif added that Pakistani soldiers were giving a befitting response to the Indian army. “The entire nation stands behind the Pakistan Army,” Sharif said.
Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari condemned the Indian firing which was targeting innocent civilians. Bilawal called on the United Nations to take notice of Indian ceasefire violations at LoC.
Unprovoked Indian firing in several sectors across LoC
India resorted again to unprovoked firing at LoC on Wednesday morning, ISPR said in a statement.
Indian troops carried out unprovoked firing in Shah Kot, Jora, Battal, Kerala, Baagh, Bagsar, Tattapani sectors. Pakistani troops responded befittingly to the Indian fire, ISPR said.
Heavy exchange of fire continues at the LoC.
Earlier this week Indian troops targeted Jandroot, Kerala and Baroha sectors and martyred four and injured 10 civilians on the Pakistani side. Pakistan Army killed at least six Indian soldiers in retaliatory fire.
On Saturday, Pakistan Army had shot down an Indian spy drone in Rakhchakri sector. On the same day, Indian forces had martyred four minors on the Pakistani side of the LoC.
