Pak violates ceasefire; jawan, girl killed

JAMMU: An Army jawan and a minor girl were on Monday killed while four persons injured in heavy firing and mortar shelling by the Pakistan Army along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch, Rajouri and Baramulla districts. The Indian Army retaliated, triggering heavy exchanges. "The Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked firing on Indian Army posts in Rajouri sector and Poonch district around 0730 hours. The Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively," a Defence spokesman said. In the fire exchange, Naik Muddasar Ahmed was grievously injured when mortar shells landed on his bunker, the spokesman said, adding that he was evacuated to the MI room where he succumbed to injuries. The 37-year-old jawan, who hailed from Duchoo village, is survived by his wife Shaheena Muddasar and two children. "Ahmed was a brave and sincere soldier. He loved his job to the core," the spokesman said. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty, he said. Pakistan also shelled mortars on civilian areas in Balakote, Manjakote and Baroti belts, a police officer said. In the firing and shelling, 9-year-old Sajada Houser was killed at Baroti, the officer said. A senior district official of Rajouri said two civilians were injured in shelling in Manjakote belt of Rajouri district and have been hospitalised. A jawan was also injured, he said. All schools in border of Manajote and Balakote belts are closed and people have been advised not to come out of their homes in view of the heavy shelling, they said. Later in the day, Pakistani troops started unprovoked firing at three villages in Kamalkote area of Uri in Baramulla district around 3 pm, defence sources said. They said one soldier was injured in the firing. Intermittent firing by Pakistani troops was going on till last reports came in. Seven persons, including four jawans were killed, in ceasefire violations by Pakistan Army along the LoC in Jammu and Kashmir in July.