Briefly: 5.2 earthquake strikes J&K

Two rusty mortar shells were found on the banks of a rivulet in Samba district of Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday following which the bomb disposal squad was informed, officials said. The shells were found at Balole Khad by a villager who immediately informed the police and subsequently, a police team visited the spot, they said. A bomb disposal squad was summoned to defuse the devices, the officials added.

12 pilgrims hurt in reasi mishap

Twelve pilgrims visiting the Shiv Khori shrine were injured when their bus collided with a vehicle in Reasi district on Wednesday, officials said. The accident occurred at Simbal Chowk when a bus carrying 35 to 40 pilgrims from Uttar Pradesh collided with another vehicle coming from the opposite direction, officials stated. Twelve pilgrims sustained injuries and were hospitalized, they added. The pilgrims were on their way to visit the Shiv Khori shrine after visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine.

Girl hit by boulder dies

Poonch: A seven-year-old girl died after being hit by a boulder during construction of a link road in Poonch district on Wednesday, officials said. Zahara Choudhary was returning home from her school in Salwah village when the incident took place during construction of a link road, the officials said. They said the minor girl was hit by a boulder which was being removed by an earth-mover. "The girl had suffered a major injury in the lumbar and pelvic area and died of internal bleeding," Block Medical Officer, sub-division hospital Mendhar, Dr Ashfaq Choudhary said. He said the girl was brought dead to the hospital and later her body was handed over to police after completion of autopsy. he angry villagers demanded action against the construction company for alleged negligence.