Keran (Kupwara), June 25: It was on this fateful day in 1997 that a mortar shell struck the house of Fayaz Ahmed Khan near Line of Control (LoC) in this frontier district. The shell killed Fayaz’s 18-year old daughter Syeda and injured his two sons and wife, Maryam.
 Recalling that fateful day, Khan said, “Mortar shell was so powerful that it completely shattered my house and broke the window panes of neighboring houses. My daughter died on the spot and other family members sustained injuries.”
 Fayaz said on that fateful day Indian and Pakistani armies were exchanging heavy artillery. “I don’t know whose mortar shell killed Syeda,” he added.
 “My daughter was a brilliant student. She had secured 78 per cent marks in 10th and 85 per cent in 11th. She wanted to become a doctor and serve the people of Keran. The mortar shell shattered her dream. Instead of becoming a doctor she became the victim of the hostility and enmity between two countries,” Fayaz added.
 Syeda’s mother, Maryam, who got injured on the same day remained in a state of shock for nearly 3-years. “It was like a doomsday. Everyone was screaming and running here and there to look out for their family members and children. As soon as Syeda entered the mortar shell hit our house and I saw her lying in pool of blood. I saw her dying in front of me,” she said and broke down.
 Locals said at least 30 persons of the Keran village died when Indian and Pakistani armies exchanged fire on the LoC. “Civilian casualties across the LoC were on the higher side. Innocents had to pay a heavy price for the hostilities between two countries. On both sides Kashmiris were dying,” they added.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 25 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 26 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST