Two teenagers have been reported killed and another injured in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) due to Indian forces’ ‘unprovoked’ firing across the Line of Control (LoC) early Monday morning, a senior official informed.
The casualties occurred in Tatta Pani sector of southern Kotli district where shelling began after 5:45am, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Chaudhry Zulqarnain Sarfraz said. “Indian troops started [shelling] without any provocation, and also targeted the civilian populations,” the SSP said. He added that Asad, 18, died after being hit by the splinters of a shell in Bhabra village whereas Waqar, 18, was critically injured and later succumbed to his injuries at DHQ Kotli.
Another teenager, Shabaz, 17, was critically injured in Hillan village, he added.
“The shelling has stopped now, but who knows when they [Indians] will resume it again,” the SSP said.
A Tatta Pani-based journalist is reported to have said that Indian shelling was ‘intense’ but Pakistani troops responded effectively to it.
Since January, India has committed more than 400 ceasefire violations along the LoC, leaving several civilians dead or wounded.
The deaths toll due to unprovoked Indian firing has risen to 11 since January, while over 65 have sustained injuries.
