–ISPR says India reportedly suffered casualties in retaliatory shelling by Pakistani troops
–AJK govt urges Centre to sanction special relief package for LoC residents under BISP
RAWALPINDI: Four people, including two Pakistan Army soldiers, were martyred while two civilians were injured in shelling from across the Line of Control (LoC) as tensions continue to simmer between Pakistan and India in the aftermath of the Pulwama suicide bombing.
Two soldiers were martyred while returning fire to Indian posts firing across the LoC, said the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
“Two Pakistan Army soldiers embraced martyrdom at Nakiyal Sector in exchange of fire while targeting Indian posts that were targeting the civilian population,” the ISPR statement read. “Martyrs include Havaldar Abdur Rub and Naik Khuram.”
“Reports of casualties of Indian troops and damage to post due to an effective response by Pakistan Army,” it concluded.
“Indian forces targeted civilian population in Tatta Pani and Jandrot sectors along LoC,” the ISPR said. Following the firing, the injured were shifted to a hospital in Kotli. “Given the prevailing situation, Pakistan’s armed forces are on high alert,” it added.
Meanwhile, according to reports in Indian media, at least three civilians, including two minors, were killed in Poonch district as a result of firing and shelling by the Pakistani troops. Additionally, two Indian troops were injured as well.
On Friday, a teenager was killed and three other civilians injured in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) in “ruthless shelling” by Indian troops from across the restive LoC.
The casualties occurred in Kotli district where the LoC was calm since the morning but became “hot” in the afternoon after Indian troops resorted to heavy mortar and artillery shelling, they added.
The firing comes as Pakistan and India reel from a week of high escalation which had raised fears of an all-out war after the PAF shot down two Indian aircraft for violating Pakistani airspace.
Analysts had expected the situation to de-escalate on Friday evening as Prime Minister Imran Khan released a captured Indian pilot, in an overture towards New Delhi.
‘RELIEF PACKAGE FOR KASHMIRIS’:
As Kashmiris continue to suffer from heavy shelling and firing for the past few days, the Azad Kashmir government has asked the federal government to sanction a special relief package under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) for the population along the LoC.
In a letter to the Ministry of Kashmir Affairs and Gilgit-Baltistan on Saturday, AJK Chief Secretary Mathar Niaz Rana requested the Centre to provide relief to the citizens of AJK bearing heavy losses due to intense shelling.
“Everyday shelling has [a] direct bearing on the livelihood of the LoC residents, as it is damaging their houses, shops, fruit trees and crops … Though the AJK government is taking steps for their welfare, its meagre resources are a big impediment to provision of these services to the entire affected population,” an official handout quoted.
According to the handout, the chief secretary had pointed out that of the 4.2 million total AJK population, around 503,000 people from 79,992 families were residing along the LoC and were directly exposed to Indian shelling.
At the moment, 13,982 of these families are enrolled as BISP beneficiaries but since all LoC residents deserve special treatment, it would be a welcome gesture by the federal government to add the remaining 66,010 families on the list of the beneficiaries of BISP’s cash grant scheme, the chief secretary wrote.