Jammu woman dies in shelling as Pak violates ceasefire again

Three of the victim’s relatives were also injured when a mortar shell exploded in their house.

A woman died and three of her relatives were injured when the Pakistan army targeted military posts and villages along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district’s Krishna Ghati sector with bullets and mortar shells on Thursday evening.

Border Security Force soldiers stand guard near a fence at the India-Pakistan border in Akhnoor sector. (HT File/ Nitin Kanotra)

The deceased was identified as 45-year-old Zainab Bi of Balnoi.

“A mortar shell exploded in their house around 5.15 pm, killing her and injuring three others. More details are emerging,” said a police officer.

The villages of Sonagali and Bhimber Gali remain under intense shelling, he added.

Jammu-based defence spokesperson Lt Colonel Devender Anand said the Pakistan army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of small arms, automatics and mortars in the sector from 4.20 pm.

“The Indian army is retaliating strongly and effectively,” he added.

India lost eight civilians and six soldiers in Pakistan shelling along the international border and LoC in Jammu region between January 17 and 22.