Kupwara, Apr 13: Three civilians have been killed in cross-border shelling by Pakistani forces in Kupwara district. “Pakistani troops initiated an unprovoked ceasefire violation around 5.00 pm, targeting civilian population,” an official said.The reports said that three persons including a woman and minor were killed in Cross Border shelling between the armies of India and Pakistan in Chowkibal area along Line of Control in this frontier district Kupwara.A defence ministry spokesperson told UNI that Pakistani troops, violating the 2003 ceasefire, fired mortar shells at around 1700 hrs on Sunday, targeting forward posts and civilian areas.Sources said that, a 36 year old woman (Shameema Begum) wife of Gulzar Ahmad Hajam, a 8 year old child (Ziyan) son of Bashir ahmad and a 17 year old Javeed Khan son GhulamRasool Khan all are residents ReddiChokibalKupwara were killed after shells landed in TuminaChowkibal area. Sources further said that two residential houses also suffered damage in the shelling.Sources added that Indain and Pakistani army exchange bullets and shells creating panic among people in both parts of Line of Control.
Pakistani shells, Locals said landed in Tumina area of Chowkibal, killing a woman damaging structures. The shells landed on the vehicles and houses that triggered massive fire. “Its like hell here right now,” said a local over phone.The locals have migrated to safer places. They said from past two days, the border area has been turned into a battle zone
The area has been tense from last couple of days with Pakistani troops resorting to heavy shells on Friday, following which many locals abandoned their houses and moved to safety to safety to evade shelling from across the border.Five heavily-armed militants and as many soldiers were killed in an encounter which ensued after alert troops foiled a major infiltration bid from PoK in Keran sector on April 5.Official sources said that Pakistan troops are violating ceasefire to facilitate militants to infiltrate into Kashmir valley. “A large number of militants are waiting at launch pads in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) to sneak into this side,” they said.However, they said despite facing all odds, Indian troops remained on high alert along the Line of Control (LoC) to foil any militant attempt to infiltrate into this side.
