The death toll from the ongoing cross-border shelling has risen to 17 as one more civilian has been killed while three others were injured in the forward areas of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch and Rajouri districts since early morning on Friday.
A series of high-intensity blasts between 3:50 am and 4:45 am triggered an immediate blackout and sounding of sirens, officials said.
The firing and shelling were directed at areas in Rajouri, Poonch, and Jammu districts, apart from Kashmir’s Kupwara and Baramulla districts, overnight.
One person was killed and three others, including his wife, were injured in Pakistani shelling in different areas of the Loran and Mendhar sectors of the Poonch district, the officials said. The injured were shifted to the hospital.
The shelling has caused significant property damage, with several hundred vehicles suffering extensive damage.
The deceased has been identified as Mohd Abrar of the Loran area. Among the injured is Layaqat Hussain of the Chalery area of Mendhar.
“The Indian Army remains committed to safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Nation. All nefarious designs will be responded to with force,” the ADGPI said on its social media handle.
Earlier, in a post, the Deputy Commissioner of Jammu urged residents to stay calm. “Please remain calm. Do not panic,” he said.
Amid the prevailing situation, all schools, colleges, and universities have been closed in the region till further orders, said education minister Sakeena Itoo on Thursday evening.
Deputy Commissioner of Poonch, VikasKundal, and Senior Superintendent of Police, Shafket Hussain, visited the Mangnar area to assess and reinforce security measures.
A total of 17 people lost their lives and 43 were injured in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch and Tangdhar regions as Pakistan fired heavy shells on the LoC and the international border.
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