BSF inspector, minor girl killed, 14 injured in shelling along LoC in Poonch

POONCH: A BSF inspector and a six-year old girl were killed and 14 other persons, including nine civilians and five security personnel, were injured on Monday in cross-border shelling on the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district.

Police said the girl was killed and nine civilians were injured in the shelling in Shahpur, Kerni, Mankote, Mendhar and Krishna Ghati sectors.

“The girl died after being hit by a splinter fired by the Pakistan Army,” a police officer said. The deceased was identified as Sobiya Sharif, a resident of Bandi Chichyan.

Nine civilians and six security personnel, including two soldiers and four Border Security Force (BSF) troopers, were injured in shelling and firing by Pakistan, police said, adding that all the injured have been shifted to hospital.

A BSF official said an inspector succumbed to his injuries.

Reports said that heavy firing exchanges were continuing on the LoC at many places in Poonch district.

Authorities have closed all educational institutions close to the LoC following the ceasefire violation by the Pakistan Army that began at 7.45 a.m.

According to Defence Ministry spokesman Lt Col Devender Anand, the Pakistani troops resorted to mortar shelling and firing of small arms.

The Indian troops retaliated effectively, the officer said.