Havildar killed in Pakistan shelling

Our Correspondent

Rajouri, June 22

An Army Havildar was killed in heavy shelling by Pakistan troops along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kalal area of Nowshera sector in Rajouri district today.

Havildar Dipak Karki, who was guarding a forward post, was critically injured and later succumbed to injuries. He is the fourth soldier to have lost his life in truce violation by Pakistan along the LoC this month.

The Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked shelling using mortars on Indian forward posts and civil areas around 3.30 am. Sources said artillery fire was used to target forward posts.

“The intensity of shelling was very high and people had to run for cover,” said Ramesh Choudhry, sarpanch of Deeing-Kalal.

The Pakistan army also initiated unprovoked shelling in Krishna Ghati (Poonch) this morning. “At both places, the Indian Army retaliated befittingly. Havildar Dipak Karki, who suffered critical injuries later attained martyrdom,” said Defence PRO Lt Col Devender Anand.