Four civilians killed in fresh Indian cross-border fire

Pakistan Army troops are effectively targeting Indian posts, says ISPR

MUZZAFARABAD: At least four civilians were killed and six others wounded in Indian cross-border fire along the Line of Control (LoC) on Monday.

“Indian targeting of civil population by unprovoked firing on LoC continues. Four civilians embraced martyrdom in Nakial sector… six civilians seriously injured,” the ISPR said in a statement. “Pakistan army troops are effectively targeting Indian posts. Exchange of fire continues.”

Nakyal lies on the Line of Control, the de facto border between India and Pakistan in the disputed Himalayan state.



Relations between the two countries have plummeted in recent months, with India blaming Pakistan for a raid on an army base in September that killed 19 soldiers. Pakistan denies the charge.

Tensions were already high before the army base attack over the July 8 death of a popular militant leader, with nearly 90 people killed in clashes with security forces in Indian-held Kashmir since then.

Last week New Delhi said it was expelling a Pakistani visa official for suspected spying, with Islamabad responding by sending back an Indian diplomat in an apparent tit-for-tat move.