Poonch, Feb 28: A woman was killed and five persons including an on-leave soldier were injured in shelling by Pakistani troops along the Line of Control here on Thursday, officials said.
They said that 27-year-old Amina Kausar daughter of Mohammad Sadiq was killed when a shell hit her residence at Takiya Ziayarat, Chhajla in Medhar sector.
The intermittent shelling in Balakote, Mankote, Manjakote, Mendhar and KG sector over the past few days amid heightened tension between India and Pakistan has left local residents frightened.
An official said that fresh shelling erupted at Mankote, Balakote, Manjakote, Mendhar and KG sectors since yesterday evening. The Indo-Pak armies exchanged heavy shelling in these sectors.
The woman sustained critical injuries after a shell landed in the premises of her house and she was taken to nearby hospital where she succumbed to injuries later.
Five persons including a woman Naseema Akthar (28) of Mankote and Zakir Hussian (Lance Naik of 3 Jakli) son of Abdul Aziz were injured.
SDPO Mendhar Neeraj Padyar confirmed the death of the woman and the injuries.
The officer said that a shell fired by Pakistan army, landed in the house of the soldier— Zakir Hussian (Lance Naik of 3 Jakli) son of Abdul Aziz and Naseema Akthar as a result of which both suffered serious injuries and were shifted to SDH Mendhar.
Zakir is posted in Kupwara district of north Kashmir and had returned home recently on leave, officials said.
Meanwhile, DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range Vivek Gupta, DC Poonch Rahul Yadav, SSP Poonch Ramesh Angral, SDPO Mendhar Neeraj Padyar, SHO Mendhar Anayat Ahmad, BMO Mendhar Dr Parvaiz Khan visited the affected areas and SDH Mendhar, where they inquired about the condition of the injured.
As the shelling intensified in these areas particularly in Mendhar, the shopkeepers downed their shutters and ran towards their homes.
The incident of shelling took place in the afternoon and as per reports, the Pakistan and Indian armies have been exchanging mortars and firing small arms along the sector for past couple of days and it continued intermittently.
Meanwhile, authorities ordered the closure of schools located close to the LoC in Rajouri and Poonch districts.
“Due to the prevailing situation on Line of Control all Government and Private Schools located in 0-5 KM range from LoC in Poonch district shall remain closed on 01.03.2019,” reads an order by District Magistrate Poonch.
Similarly, the district magistrate Rajouri in an order said; “Keeping in view the prevailing situation and as a precautionary measure all Government and Private Schools upto 10+2 level within 0-5 Kms distance from the LoC in District Rajouri shall remain closed tomorrow on 01/03/2019”.
