The armies of India and Pakistan on Sunday exchanged heavy fire and shelling along the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu and Kashmir, leaving four army soldiers dead and five persons injured.
The injured include two army men, BSF assistant sub-inspector and two civilians.
An army spokesman said that Pakistan Army initiated “unprovoked and indiscriminate” firing of small arms, automatics, mortars and missiles from 3:30 pm in Bhimber Gali sector along the LoC.
“Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively and heavy damage has been inflicted on Pakistani Army Posts,” he said.
“However, in the exchange of fire, one officer and three soldiers were grievously injured and succumbed to their injuries.”
He warned that the “unprovoked” action by Pakistani Army will be given a befitting response.
The slain were identified as Captain Kapil Kundu, rifleman Ramavatar, rifleman Subham Singh and Havildar Roshan Lal. The injured soldier, identified as Iqbal Ahmad, was shifted to a hospital for treatment.
Earlier in the day, two forces’ personnel and two civilians were injured in cross-LoC shelling in Rajouri and Poonch districts.
The injured included an army soldier and a BSF assistant sub-inspector.
The injured civilians were identified as six-year-old Yaseen Arif and 14-year-old Gulzar Bano.
Reports said that heavy firing was reported from Lam and Jhanger forward areas of Nowshera, Sunderbani, Tarkundi, Niaka and Rajdhani in Manjakote, Basooni, Panjani, Drati in Balakote, Shahpur and Kerni in Poonch district.
Last month, fourteen people, including six forces’ personnel, were killed in cross-border shelling in Jammu division. (Reporting by Sumit Bhargav, Ishrat Butt)