Pak firing on LoC continues, soldier hurt a day before succumbs to injuries

Pakistani forces continued to target primarily schools, from where more than 200 children were evacuated on Tuesday

Villages in Rajouri and Poonch bore the brunt of the firing, which left a civilian with injuries, while a soldier who was injured on Tuesday succumbed to his injuries.

Defence sources said the Pakistan Army had been violating the bilateral ceasefire agreement with impunity during the last three days. (PTI File Photo)

The army confirmed the death of its officer in a statement in the evening.

“Subedar Shashi Kumar, who was grievously injured during the unprovoked CFV (ceasefire violation) by Pakistan on 18 Jul 17 and was being administered medical treatment at Command Hospital Udhampur succumbed to his injuries,” it said in a statement.

“Subedar Shashi Kumar was a brave and sincere soldier. He loved his job to the core. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty.”

Kumar’s death is the second from Tuesday’s violence. Sepoy Jaspreet Singh was killed in Kalsian in Nowshera sector.

Defence spokesperson Lt Col Manish Mehta said Pakistan Army began unprovoked and indiscriminate firing from small arms, automatic weapons and mortars from 8.45 am to 11.45 am along the Line of Control (LoC) in BG sector in Rajouri and Poonch.

“The Indian Army is retaliating strongly and effectively,” he said.

Rajouri deputy commissioner Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary told Hindustan Times over phone that Pakistan on Wednesday again shot 10 to 12 mortars on two primary schools in Klotra and Kote Dhar in Manjakote area of Rajouri district.

“Schools were already shut in this sector two days back. There were no adverse reports. At least 3,411 people are putting up in five relief camps in Nowshera town,” he said.

More than 8,000 people — 3,000 in Naushera and 5,000 in Manjakote-Rajdhani-Panjgrain-Naika — have been affected by the Pakistan shelling in the last two days.

Pakistan Army also shelled areas in Balakote, Dhar, Lambibari, Rajdhani, Mankote, Sandote in Rajouri and Poonch districts since early morning.

On Tuesday, authorities rescued 217 students and 15 teachers from various government schools along the LoC in Rajouri district.

Trade across the two countries from the Line of Control remained suspended for the second straight week.