Mortar shelling in Poonch, 1 injured

Our Correspondent

Rajouri, May 7

An elderly civilian was injured in a cross–border shelling in Qasba forward village in the Shahpur sector of Poonch district on Thursday, said the defence PRO.

The Pakistan army resorted to unprovoked heavy mortar shelling in the Qasba Kirni area of the Shahpur sector, Malti and adjoining areas in the Degwar sector.

“The intensity of shelling was so high that people ran for shelter in bunkers and to safer places inside their houses” said Manjeet Singh of Poonch town.

According to reports, a mortar shell exploded near the house of injured Nissar Ali (70), who was injured critically due to splinter injuries. He was shifted to district hospital amid heavy shelling by the medical team.

The Pakistan army for the last more than 15 days has been continuously targeting forward locations of the Army and civil areas in border districts of Poonch and Rajouri.

On Monday, five sheep were killed and a Kachha house was damaged in Rajdhani village of the Manjakot sector in Rajouri.

On April 30, a Class X student, Mohd Gulfraz, was killed in the Mankot sector of Poonch district while his mother was preparing meal to open the Ramzan fast. Sources said despite 80 mm and 120 mm mortars, the Pakistan army was also targeting civil areas with high calibre artillery guns. “The Army was retaliating unprovoked mortar shelling befittingly” said the defence PRO.