Lubna Fayaz
Srinagar (NVI) Indian Army today killed 4 commandos of Pakistan Army and destroyed multiple terror launch pads across the Line of Control while retaliating to the enemy shelling in which 5 Indian troopers and 4 civilians were killed.
In a major flare-up along Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir today, Pakistan resorted to multiple ceasefire violations at forward locations in J&K after the Indian Army foiled another infiltration bid by the four Pak commandos in Kupwara’s Keran sector.
The SSG commandos, who wanted to carry out a BAT (Border Action Team) attack belonged to 2 SSG Unit located at Sharda Valley in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
According to some reports, around 11 Pakistan Army personnel are believed to have been killed in retaliatory action by Indian Army, besides the 4 SSG commandos.
The 11 Pakistani troops are believed to be killed by the Indian Army while blasting several Pak bunkers across LoC by using rockets and ATGMs (Anti Tank Guided Missiles).
Indian Army’s Northern Command also released video footage of the targeted bunkers in which around 11 Pakistani troops are believed to have been killed.
A Border Security Force (BSF) officer is also among the five slain security forces personnel. A woman was among the four civilians killed in one of the intense shellings by the Pakistan army that took place today.
According to the Indian Army, the Pakistani troops resorted to heavy shelling at multiple locations in north Kashmir’s Kupwara, Bandipora and Baramulla districts.
“Pakistan initiated unprovoked Ceasefire Violation along the LoC spread across multiple sectors to include Dawar, Keran, Uri and Naugam. Pakistan used mortars and other weapons. Pakistan deliberately targeted civilian areas,” Srinagar-based Defence spokesperson Colonel Rajesh Kalia said.
Kalia had earlier said that three army soldiers were killed in action while a BSF officer also laid down his life in Kupwara’s Naugam sector.
“Own troops retaliated strongly causing substantial damage to Pakistan Army’s infrastructure and casualties across the LoC. Several ammunition dumps, FOL dumps and multiple terrorist launch pads have been damaged,” he said, adding that “three army jawans have also been injured.”
Several civilians were also injured in the Pakistan shellings who are being treated at various hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir. Four civilians were killed in Baramulla district while five were wounded in the Bandipora’s Gurez area.
Five civilians including a woman and two porters have also been injured in Pakistan shelling in Poonch’s Sawjian sector.
“At least 10 civilians have been injured in Jammu and Kashmir during the unprovoked firing from the Pakistani side. They are stable and are being treated at various hospitals in the regions,” a senior army official said on the condition of anonymity.
He further said, “Following multiple Ceasefire violations from Pakistan, panic and fear spread among the residents. They were evacuated to safer places and some took shelter in underground bunkers.”
Earlier, the BSF, while confirming the killing of their officer in the line of duty said that Sub Inspector Rakesh Dobhal sustained a head injury at around 12:20 pm while on duty at a forward location and succumbed at around 01:15 pm.
“Constable Vasu Raja sustained splinter injuries on his arms and cheeks. He was deployed at the same forward defended location. The constable is stable,” NS Boparai, BSF PRO-based in Srinagar said.
-ARK
