Five of a family killed in Pakistani shelling in Poonch
What's the story
At least five civilians were killed and two injured when Pakistan opened fire along the LoC in Balakote sector of J&K's Poonch district this morning. The Pakistani army targeted forward posts in the area, including in nearby Devta Dhar village, police said. A shell hit the house of Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, killing all five family members. Indian personnel are now responding strongly, officials said.
Details
Two injured daughters of the same family rushed to hospital
The deceased have been identified as Ramzan (35), his wife Malika (32), and their sons Abdul (14), Mohammad (12) and Razaq (7). Their injured daughters, Nasreen (11) and Mehreen (5), have been rushed to a local hospital. Army spokesman Lt Col Devender Anand said Pakistani forces were specifically targeting civilian areas. Today's toll is the most civilian casualties in a day in cross-LoC firing.
Twitter Post
National Conference pays tribute
Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Mr. @OmarAbdullah express shock and grief over killing of five civilians of a single family in #Poonch due to cross LoC shelling. Reiterate appeal for immediate restoration of ceasefire. Extend heartfelt condolences to the kith and kin of the deceased.
— JKNC (@JKNC_) March 18, 2018
Stats
Pakistani ceasefire violations have shot up drastically
According to India, ceasefire violations by Pakistan have been constantly increasing, from 405 in 2015 and 449 in 2016 to an alarming 881 in 2017. As many as 192 incidents were recorded in just the first month of 2018. Meanwhile, Pakistan says India has violated ceasefire over 415 times this year, killing 20 civilians on its side.