Srinagar: The Indian Army on Thursday said it killed five Pakistani soldiers in retaliatory firing on the Line of Control in Kashmir while Islamabad lodged a protest against what it described as unprovoked ceasefire violations by Indian forces that left at least two civilians dead on its side of Kashmir.
According to media reports from New Delhi, the retaliatory firing took place at Nowshera sector of Poonch. The firing was more intense in Bhimber and Battal sectors, the sources said.
Earlier in the day, Pakistan summoned Indias deputy high commissioner and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violation by India along the Line of Control.
At least two civilians were killed and six, including four were women injured as a result of ‘unprovoked firing by Indian forces on the Line of Control (LoC) in the different areas of Azad Jmmu and Kashmir (AJK) on Thursday, a pak army spokesman said.
The Director General (South Asia & SAARC), Dr Mohammad Faisal, summoned the Indian Deputy High Commissioner, J P Singh and condemned the unprovoked ceasefire violations by the Indian occupation forces on June 1, it said.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) also released a statement, saying Indian troops fired at Battal, Jandrot and Hotspring sectors. Pakistani troops effectively responded to Indian firing, it added.
The civilian casualties have been identified as Azar Ahmad and Fazal Ahmad, while the injured are Jabeen Maqbool, Faiza Kabeer, Nasreen Akhter, Tayeeba Haneef, Malik Muhammad Jameel, and Muhammad Safeer.
GREF personnel killed
Earlier officials on Indian side said Pakistani firing in Krishna Ghati sector along the LoC in Poonch district on Thursday left one person dead and two others injured.
Official sources said that two GREF Personnel and a BSF jawan were injured seriously in the Pakistani shelling. One of the GREF personnel succumbed to injuries.
A Defence Ministry spokesperson said that the forces across the Line of Control started unprovoked firing and shelling targeting Indian positions and civilian areas of Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch and Naushera sector of Rajouri district around 7:30 this morning. Indian troops guarding the borderline retaliated the fire and gave a befitting reply.
Intermittent exchange of fire was continuing when last reports came in. Small arms automatics and mortars are said to be used in firing.
The armies of India and Pakistan have been involved in heavy firing along the Line of Control (the de-facto border) over the last few months. These attacks during the past months have frayed the 2003 truce.
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