Woman dies, couple hurt in Pak shelling

A woman was killed while her 18-day-old son had a miraculous escape in a mortar blast fired by the Pakistan army that landed in Noona Bandi village in Poonch district in the evening today.

A couple, Manzoor Hussain Shah and his wife Nasima Akhter, was also injured in Upar Qasba village and were taken to the district hospital amid heavy mortar shelling.

The deceased was identified as Shamim Akhter, wife of Maqsood Ahmed. She was working in the kitchen and her 18-day-old son was also with her.

As she came out of the kitchen, a mortar shell landed in the vicinity of the house, causing fatal injuries to her.

The Pakistan army first resorted to unprovoked heavy mortar shelling and firing with small arms at 9.30 am and exchange of firing/mortar shelling continued for about an hour.

At about 12.30 pm, the Pakistan army again resorted to mortar shelling.

“The Indian Army retaliated strongly and effectively to the unprovoked mortar shelling/firing by Pakistan army in the Qasba and Kirni sectors,” said PRO, Defence, Lt-Col Davender Anand.

“Many mortar shells landed in the border villages, including Qasba, Upper Qasba, Shahpur, Kirni, Noona Bandi etc,” said Manjeet Singh.

Pakistan army has violated the ceasefire agreement more than 2,300 times till date.

Sepoy Subhash Thapa had attained martyrdom on October 11 while guarding the LoC in the Kalal sector in Rajouri district.