Three civilians killed in Pakistan ceasefire violation near LoC in Kupwara

A defence ministry spokesperson told UNI that Pakistani troops, violating the 2003 ceasefire, fired mortar shells at around 1700 hrs today, targeting forward posts and civilian areas.

He said three people, including a woman and baby, were killed when a mortar shell fired by Pakistani troops exploded in a civilian area in Kupwara.

The Indian troops also retaliated and the exchange of fire lasted for about an hour. However, sources said there was no report of any causality or damage to property from this side of LoC.

The area has been tense from the 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 Pakistani 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.