SHAH ABBAS
Srinagar
Three civilians, including a young girl were killed Tuesday in an exchange of gunfire between Indain forces and Pakistani rangers at Charunda in Uri along LoC.
The Army officials said the civilians were killed when Pakistani troops opened fire at Indian posts on Tuesday morning at Charunda village in Dar Haji Peer sector at Uri along the L0C. The officials however confirmed the death of only two civilians.
“Pakistan is violating ceasefire in Uri sector since October 3. Today, they fired a mortar shell towards Nambardar village which killed two civilians,” Defense spokesman, Col. J S Brar told Kashmir life.
The locals said they only heard the sound of firing and blasts but could not ascertain what had happened. Shahab Din, a resident of Charunda in Uri, told Kashmir Life that forces from both sides started firing towards each other from 6 am on Tuesday.
“During the cross fire, a mortal shell hit Mohammad Shafi, 25, Liyaqat Ali, 16, and Shaheena Akhter, 18, all residents of Charunda, resulting in their death on spot. Liyaqat Ali was a 9th class student” Shahab said.
When contacted, SHO Uri, Bashir Ahmad told Kashmir Life that he was trying to move forward to the area to retrieve the bodies. “I have been told by Army to move very cautiously because they fear more firing from the other side, I am trying my best to reach the spot. Reportedly, three civilians have been killed,” Basher said.
“We heard firing and some kind of blasts. We ran for shelter and when the firing stopped, we got the news of the deaths,” a local, Irshad Hussain told Kashmir Life.
India and Pakistan reached a ceasefire agreement after Indian parliament was attacked in 2001. After the agreement, the civilians along LoC started returning to their native homes. India, however, has been accusing Pakistani troops of violating the ceasefire agreement, resulting in mounting fears among local residents.
