by Tanveer Ahmad
Srinagar
Three civilians were killed and seven injured on Sunday after India and Pakistani armies exchange shelling in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
An official said that Pakistani troops resorted to firing in Chowkibal area around 5 pm on Sunday.
“Some of the shells landed in civilian areas, resulting in the death of three civilians and injuries to seven,” he said.
He said that a car and several houses were also damaged in the area, adding that all the injured were immediately taken to a nearby hospital.
Sources identified the deceased as Shammema Begum 35, wife of Mohmmad Gulzar Hajam, Javid Ahmad Khan 17, son of Ghulam Rasool Khan residents of Reddi area of Chowkibal and Zeyan Bashir Kataria son of Bashir Ahmad Katarira resident of Tumhana.
The injured were identified as Ghulam Hassan Pir (60) of Reddi who has been hit in his left arm, Farooq Ahmad Kataria, Bashir Ahmad Kataria, Lal Din Chichee, Saima (12) and Sabiya, daughters of Siraj-ud-Din Badana and 16-year-old Imtiyaz Ahmad Khatria, all residents of Tumina.
They said that the firing has now stopped in the area and district officials including police are evacuating residents living close to the LoC in these areas.
Army’s Srinagar based spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia in a statement said, “Unprovoked Ceasefire Violation initiated by Pakistan in Keran Sector at 5 pm.”
“Pakistan now targeting the civilian population in Kupwara Sector near the Line of Control resulting in killing 3 innocent civilians including one woman and a child,” the army spokesman said.
