Four siblings injured as Pak breaches truce along LoC

JAMMU: In a fresh ceasefire violation, Pakistan army on Saturday targeted civilian areas and forward Indian posts along the Line of Control (LoC) in Balakote sector of Poonch district resulting injuries to four siblings, one of them being critical. Giving details, PRO Northern Command, Col NN Joshi said, "Pakistan Army initiated unprovoked and indiscriminate firing of Small arms, automatics and Mortars from 19:45 pm in Bhimber Gali sector along the Line of Control (LC) deliberately targeting villages of Basauni and Sandot in Balakote area." "This unprovoked firing and condemnable action by Pakistani Army has caused serious injuries to the four civilians including small children," added Col Joshi.. "Four siblings and children of a police head constable Mohammad Naseeb injured when a mortar shell dropped in from of their house." As per local reports, "The injured have been identified as Tahira Naseeb (17), Tariq Naseeb (15), Rafia Naseeb (07) and Saquib Naseeb (05) children of Mohammad Naseeb, who was not present at the house when the motrar dropped at his house." "Among the injured children, Tahira Naseeb is seriously injured and was referred to GMC&H Jammu for further treatment, whereas rest injured have been shifted to primary health centre Dhargloon and then were shifted to the District Hospital for specialized treatment, reports added. Meanwhile, talking to The News Now, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Mendhar, Rahul Yadav, who personally was monitoring the situation, said, "Around 6:30 pm today first Pakistan army dropped three mortar shells landed in the residential areas along the LoC in Balakote sector, just opposite to LoC. "One of these three shells hit the house of the head constable of JKP in which four civilians injured," he added. The SDM Mendhar also said that later Pakistan army once again opened heavy firing targetting almost 3-4 forward villages of Mendhar's Balakote area at around 8:30 pm." Yadav, who was in touch with civil administration and police officers said that an alert in the areas has been sounded and an appeal has been made to the people not to come out of their houses during firing at night. He also added that they have been advised to inform immediately to the concern police or administration in case of any emergency. "There is no question of evacuation during firing at night, as this area falls under firing range and is most vulnerable as far as target of Pakistani firing is concerned, though police and administration teams are on alert," said SDM Mendhar when asked about evacuation of villagers to safe places. According to the last reports came in, the firing was still on. Indian Army was retaliating strongly and effectively. Sources also informed that Indian army also retaliated strongly in equal caliber and reportedly have served good damage to some Pak posts. "However there is no confirmation about any injury or fatality on Pakistan side," sources added.