Unprovoked firing kills four in Nakyal sector

Tensions were already high before the army base attack over the July 8 death of Burhan Wani

Afp October 31, 2016

Tensions were already high before the army base attack over the July 8 death of Burhan Wani. PHOTO: EXPRESS

MUZAFFARABAD: At least four civilians were killed while six others were injured in unprovoked firing by the Indian border forces, amid heightened tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals.

The incident occurred near the border dividing Indian-held Kashmir from Pakistan's Punjab province, officials said.

"At least four people including a woman were killed and six others were injured when Indian troops opened fire across the border in Nakyal sector," local official Zeeshan Nisar told AFP.

He said the cross-border firing started at 8:00 am and continued through Monday with no break.

Adnan Khursheed, another local official, confirmed the firing and casualties.

The Inter-Services Public Relations confirmed that Pakistan army troops were effectively targeting Indian posts for heavy casualties.

Relations between the two countries have plummeted in recent months, with India blaming Pakistan for an attack on its army base in Uri in September that killed 19 soldiers.

Tensions were already high before the army base attack over the July 8 death of Burhan Wani, with nearly 90 people killed in clashes with security forces in Indian-administered Kashmir since then.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 1^st, 2016.