Kupwara, Apr 12 :Three civilians including a minor and woman were killed in intense shelling from across the LoC in north Kashmir’s Kupwara today, police said.
A police official said three civilians, two from Chowkibal and a minor from Timuna Vilgam village of Kupuwara were killed during LoC shelling late this afternoon.
He said that the jurisdiction comes under two different police districts, among the three killed, two come under Kupwara and the other under Handwara police district. “Two civilians including a lady were killed who belong to Chowkibal Kupwara and the minor belongs to Timuna, Vilgam jurisdiction of Handwara police”, he said.
Defence Spokesman in Srinagar Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that, “unprovoked ceasefire violation initiated by Pakistan in Keran Sector at 5 pm. Pakistan now targeting civilian population in Kupwara Sector near the Line of Control resulting in killing 3 innocent civilians including one woman and a child.”
Officials earlier said that this afternoon Pakistani rangers resorted to unprovoked ceasefire violation creating fear among the local population and targeted the posts of Indian Army.
They said that the initial fire started from Hajitara, Dhani and later in the areas like manzgam, Malikpora, TCP, Hafrada, Kralpora &Tumna Hachimarg chowkibal.
Senior Superintendent of police (SSP) Kupwara, Shriram Ambarkar said that two civilians have died in Chowkibal area. “The assessment and evacuation process is underway and people are being moved to safer places”, he said.
There is no immediate report about the damages to houses and other property as of now the people are being moved to safer places to ensure their safety once this ends only then exact figures can be disclosed, he said—(KNO)
