Woman, daughter killed in cross-LoC firing

MUZAFFARABAD: Two members of a family – a woman and her daughter – were killed in unprovoked firing by Indian forces along the Line of Control (LoC) in Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday.

Another person, the husband of the deceased woman, was injured in the shelling. The casualties occurred in Mandol Village of the Battal sector – some 180 kilometres from the seat of the AJK government.



According to details, mortar shells fired by Indian troops hit the house of Zakir Hussain Shah, killing his wife Kulsoom and daughter Amina Zakir on the spot. Shah also received injuries and was later shifted to the District Headquarters Hospital in Kotli where doctors described his condition as stable.

In Kotli’s Khoiratta sector, Indian forces targeted residential areas of Bandli, Serri, Chatter, Taain and Gahi. However, no loss of life or damage to property was reported from these areas.

In view of tense situation along the LoC, the administration in Khoiratta closed all schools for an indefinite period. Locals have accused Indian army of targeting civilians, schools and rest houses in areas located alone the LoC.



Meanwhile, Pakistan has lodged strong protest with the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan or UNMOGIP over the killings of innocent people due to unprovoked Indian firing along the LoC, the Inter-Services Public Relations said.

“Pakistani troops were responding befittingly to target Indian posts. Heavy exchange of fire continued at Battal sector,” the ISPR said.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 9^th, 2016.