Pak targets civilian areas in Jammu, 3 children among 4 hurt

The Pakistan army troops on Thursday pounded civilian areas along the Line of Control by violating ceasefire for the ninth time in four days resulting in injuries to four people, prompting retaliation from Indian troops.

Pakistan troops resorted to unprovoked firing on forward Indian posts including civilian areas along the LoC in Najwal-Pargwal belt of Jammu district around 12.30 hours, police said.

In the firing on civilian areas, four persons including three children were injured in Najwal border hamlet, they said. They have been identified as Nisha Devi, 45, Rama Kumari, 12, Usha Devi, 14, and Surjeet Kumar, 10, -- all children of Sham Lal. They have been shifted to GMC Hospital for treatment, they said.

Congress MP Madan Lal Shama, who along with Divisional Commissioner Jammu Shant Manu and senior police officers, visited the GMC Hospital to inquire about the injured, said, "enough is enough - India should give a befitting reply to Pakistan."

Bharatiya Janata Party activists led by its Legislature Party leader Ashok Khajuria held protest demonstration and burnt a Pakistan flag in protest against Pakistan firing in civilian areas of Jammu. "Give Pakistan a befitting reply. They are attacking us every time," Khajuria said.

This is the ninth ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops in the past four days.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan violated ceasefire. "There was suspected movement of some persons along the International Border close to Kharkola border out post in R S Pura border belt of Jammu district at 9.30 am," a Border Security Force officer said.

BSF troops guarding the borderline took positions and challenged them near Kharkola BoP, the officer said, adding during this period, Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing on the forward area. Troops also retaliated resulting in exchanges, which are still going on when last reports came in.

Pakistani troops have been repeatedly violating the ceasefire. On October 16, Pakistani troops had violated the ceasefire thrice in Kamalkote forward area of Uri belt, Krishnagati and Bhimbhergali sub-sectors of Poonch district and Mangu Chak and Khatav Border Out posts along International Border in Samba district.

Lance Naik M F Khan of 15 Bihar regiment was killed on October 15 when Pakistani troops opened fire at Indian forward posts in Hamirpur-Balakote sub-sector in Poonch district. The same day, the Pakistani army had shelled mortars and fired from small arms in forward areas along LoC in Hamirpur and Bhimbher Gali sub-sectors of Poonch district.

On October 14, BSF Constable M Basu was injured when Pakistani troops resorted to firing on Katav Border Out Post along the International Border in Samba district. In Islamabad, a military source claimed that a Pakistan Rangers' jawan was killed in firing by BSF troops along the LoC. The incident took place in Chaprar sector. "Firing was carried out by the BSF post Kharkola," the source claimed.